Software controls the operation of computer hardware and comes in many forms. There are programming languages used to create operating systems and applications, operating systems that control hardware and applications, and application software for specific tasks. Software is either proprietary, owned by an individual or company, or open source where anyone can modify it. Other types include freeware which is free, shareware which allows a trial period before requiring payment, crippleware which disables features after the trial, and adware which supports itself through advertisements. Malware and spyware are malicious software intended to disrupt or collect private information without consent.

1. FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE COMPUTERThe Software

3. Computer software may be defined as:computer programs, procedures, rules, associated documentation and data pertaining to the operation of a computer system

4. A single program or a collection of programs which performs many task and/or system related functionsSoftware is the detailed instructions that control the operation of hardware.Without software, hardware can not extend its capabilities or utilities

5. SoftwareProgramming LanguageApplication Operating System

6. PROGRAMMING LANGUAGESARE USED TO CREATE ALL OTHER PROGRAMS WHETHER IT IS AN OPERATING SYSTEM OR APPLICATION SOFTWARE.

8. OPERATING SYSTEMCONTROLS THE COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AND KEEP ALL THE HARDWARE RUNS SMOOTHLY.

9. APPLICATION SOFTWARETHIS ARE PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE USE TO GET THEIR WORK DONE.

10. CATEGORY OF SOFTWAREPROPRIETARY- THIS IS PROTECTED BY LAWS, IT WAS OWNED BY A PARTICULAR PERSON OR GROUPS OF PERSON.OPEN SYSTEM OR OPEN SOURCE- THIS CAN BE MODIFIED, NOT EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PARTICULAR VENDOR.

11. Freeware Freeware is also downloadable in the Internet and free of charge. Often freeware is only free for personal use, while commercial use requires a paid license.

12. SHAREWARETHIS SOFTWARE IS DOWNLOADABLE FROM THE INTERNET. LICENSES DIFFER, BUT COMMONLY THE USER IS ALLOWED TO TRY THE PROGRAM FOR FREE, FOR A PERIOD STIPULATED IN THE LICENSE, USUALLY THIRTY DAYS. AT THE END OF THE TRIAL PERIOD, THE SOFTWARE MUST BE PURCHASED OR UNINSTALLED.

13. CRIPPLEWARE THIS SOFTWARE IS SIMILAR TO SHAREWARE EXCEPT THAT KEY FEATURES WILL CEASE TO WORK AFTER THE TRIAL PERIOD HAS ENDED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE "SAVE" FUNCTION, THE PRINT FUNCTION, OR SOME OTHER VITAL FEATURE NECESSARY TO USE THE PROGRAM EFFECTIVELY MAY BECOME UNUSABLE.

14. Adware This is free software that is supported by advertisements built into the program itself. Some adware requires a live Internet feed and uses constant bandwidth to upload new advertisements.

15. MALWAREshort for malicious software, consists of programming designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, gain unauthorized access to system resources, and other abusive behavior

16. SPYWAREIS A TYPE OF MALWARE THAT CAN BE INSTALLED ON COMPUTERS, AND WHICH COLLECTS SMALL PIECES OF INFORMATION ABOUT USERS WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE