Computer Software Basics

Software

Definition

• A set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do
• Contrast with hardware, which refers to the physical components of a computer

Types of Software

• System Software: manages computer hardware and provides common services to computer programs
  • Operating System (OS): manages hardware and provides a platform for running application software (e.g. Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Device Drivers: allow OS to interact with hardware devices
  • Utilities: perform maintenance and management tasks (e.g. disk formatting, virus scanning)
• Application Software: performs specific tasks or solves problems
  • Productivity Software: helps with tasks such as document creation, calculation, and presentation (e.g. Microsoft Office)
  • Graphics and Multimedia Software: creates and edits images, audio, and video (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro)
  • Games: entertainment software

Software Development

• Programming Languages: used to write software
  • Low-level languages: close to machine language, require more code (e.g. Assembly, C)
  • High-level languages: farther from machine language, easier to use (e.g. Python, Java)
• Software Development Life Cycle: process of designing, building, testing, and maintaining software
  • Requirements gathering and analysis
  • Design
  • Implementation (coding)
  • Testing and debugging
  • Deployment and maintenance

Software Licensing

• Proprietary Software: owned and controlled by a single entity, often with restrictive licensing
• Open-Source Software: freely available, modifiable, and distributable source code
• Free Software: emphasizes user freedom and flexibility, often open-source

Software Definition

• A set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do
• Contrasted with hardware, which refers to the physical components of a computer

Types of Software

• System Software: manages computer hardware and provides common services to computer programs
  • Operating System (OS): manages hardware and provides a platform for running application software (e.g. Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Device Drivers: allow OS to interact with hardware devices
  • Utilities: perform maintenance and management tasks (e.g. disk formatting, virus scanning)
• Application Software: performs specific tasks or solves problems
  • Productivity Software: helps with tasks such as document creation, calculation, and presentation (e.g. Microsoft Office)
  • Graphics and Multimedia Software: creates and edits images, audio, and video (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro)
  • Games: entertainment software

Software Development

• Programming Languages: used to write software
  • Low-level languages: close to machine language, require more code (e.g. Assembly, C)
  • High-level languages: farther from machine language, easier to use (e.g. Python, Java)
• Software Development Life Cycle: process of designing, building, testing, and maintaining software
  • Requirements gathering and analysis
  • Design
  • Implementation (coding)
  • Testing and debugging
  • Deployment and maintenance

Software Licensing

• Proprietary Software: owned and controlled by a single entity, often with restrictive licensing
• Open-Source Software: freely available, modifiable, and distributable source code
• Free Software: emphasizes user freedom and flexibility, often open-source

This quiz covers the definition and types of software, including system software, operating systems, and device drivers. Test your knowledge of computer software fundamentals!