Software Overview
Computer hardware is useless without software. Software are the
instructions or programs that tell the hardware what to do.
There are two general categories of software:
- System software
- Application software
System Software
- Helps the computer perform essential operating tasks.
- Controls the hardware, which makes computers easier to use because
people do not have to worry about the details of how the hardware
devices work.
- Allows application software to run.
- The most common type of system software is the Operating System (OS)
- Common operating systems include:
- Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP: GUI (Graphical User Interface)-based
OS that supports plug-and-play (which makes it easy to add new hardware). Runs
on IBM-PC and compatible computers. By far the most popular OS in the world.
- MacOS: The first GUI-based OS and the first to support plug-and-play (11 years
earlier than Windows 95). Latest version is MacOSX. Runs only on Macintosh
computers, which are normally more expensive than IBM-PCs.
- Linux: A free OS that can be downloaded from the Internet. Like Windows,
it runs on IBM-PC and compatible computers. Not as easy to use as Windows or MacOSX.
Application Software
- Allows you to perform specific tasks.
- Makes computers general-purpose; i.e. they can be used to do many different things.
- Common applications involve word processors (such as MS-Word), spreadsheets (MS-Excel),
presentation makers (MS-Powerpoint), and databases (MS-Access).