Software
is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function. A
program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.
There
are two types of software −
- System Software
- Application
Software
System Software
The
system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control, and
extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software is
generally prepared by the computer manufacturers. These software products
comprise of programs written in low-level languages, which interact with the
hardware at a very basic level. System software serves as the interface between
the hardware and the end users.
Some
examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers, Interpreter,
Assemblers, etc.
Here
is a list of some of the most prominent features of a system software −
- Close to the
system
- Fast in speed
- Difficult to
design
- Difficult to
understand
- Less
interactive
- Smaller in size
- Difficult to
manipulate
- Generally
written in low-level language
Application Software
Application
software products are designed to satisfy a particular need of a particular
environment. All software applications prepared in the computer lab can come
under the category of Application software.
Application
software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft's notepad for
writing and editing a simple text. It may also consist of a collection of
programs, often called a software package, which work together to accomplish a
task, such as a spreadsheet package.
Examples
of Application software are the following −
- Payroll
Software
- Student Record
Software
- Inventory
Management Software
- Income Tax
Software
- Railways
Reservation Software
- Microsoft
Office Suite Software
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft
PowerPoint
Features
of application software are as follows −
- Close to the
user
- Easy to design
- More
interactive
- Slow in speed
- Generally
written in high-level language
- Easy to
understand
- Easy to
manipulate and use
- Bigger in size
and requires large storage space
