Software refers to programs that operate computers and devices, distinguished from hardware, which is the physical component. It is categorized into application software, system software, utility programs, and social software, with varying types available such as shareware, freeware, and open source. Software can be delivered through physical media like CD-ROMs or downloaded from the internet, and encompasses various applications including productivity tools and industry-specific programs.

1. What is Software?
Software is a general
term for the various
kinds of programs used
to operate computers
and related devices.
(The term hardware
describes the physical
aspects of computers
and related devices.)

2. Software
Software can be thought
of as the variable part of a
computer and hardware
the invariable part.

3. Software Categories
Software is
often divided
into operating
systems and
any program
that supports
application
software).
application software
(programs that do
work users are
directly interested in)
and system software
(which includes

4. Middleware
The term middleware is
sometimes used to describe
programming that mediates
between application and system
software or between two
different kinds of application
software (for example, sending
a remote work request from an
application in a computer that
has one kind of operating
system to an application in a
computer with a different
operating system).
Software and Social

5. Software Utility
• An additional and difficult-to-classify
category of software is the utility, which is a
small useful program with limited capability.
Some utilities come with operating systems.
Like applications, utilities tend to be
separately installable and capable of being
used independently from the rest of the
operating system.
•
Software and Social

6. Applets
Applets are small applications
that sometimes come with the
operating system as
"accessories." They can also be
created independently using
the Java or other programming
languages.
Software
and
Social

7. Software
Software can be purchased or acquired as
shareware (usually intended for sale after
a trial period), liteware (shareware with
some capabilities disabled), freeware (free
software but with copyright restrictions),
public domain software (free with no
restrictions), and open source (software
where the source code is furnished and
users agree not to limit the distribution of
improvements).
Software and Social

8. Software
Software is often packaged on CD-ROMs
and diskettes. Today, much purchased
software, shareware, and freeware is
downloaded over the Internet. A new
trend is software that is made available
for use at another site known as an
application service provider.
Software and Social

9. include:
• Some general kinds of application
software
• Productivity software, which includes
word processors, spreadsheets, and tools
for use by most computer users.
• Presentation software

10. Graphics software for graphic designers
• CAD/CAM software

11. Specialized Scientific Applications
• Vertical market
OR
• industry-specific software (for
example, for banking,
insurance, retail, and
manufacturing environments

12. Firmware OR Microcode.
• is programming that is loaded into a
special area on a microprocessor or
read-only memory on a one-time or
infrequent basis so that thereafter it
seems to be part of the hardware