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Types of SW

Software can be categorized based on its application or copyright. Application categories include system software, networking software, embedded software, reservation software, business software, entertainment software, artificial intelligence software, scientific software, utilities software, and document management software. Copyright categories include commercial, shareware, freeware, and public domain software.

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Hicham Allaham
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40 views

Types of SW

Software can be categorized based on its application or copyright. Application categories include system software, networking software, embedded software, reservation software, business software, entertainment software, artificial intelligence software, scientific software, utilities software, and document management software. Copyright categories include commercial, shareware, freeware, and public domain software.

Uploaded by

Hicham Allaham
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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It can be categorized into different types:

On the basis of application:

System Software –
System Software is necessary to manage the computer resources and
support the execution of application programs. Software like operating
systems, compilers, editors and drivers etc.

Networking and Web Applications Software –


Networking Software provides the required support necessary for
computers to interact with each other and with data storage facilities.
It includes all network management software, server software, security
and encryption software and
Software to develop web-based applications like HTML, PHP, XML, etc.

Embedded Software –
This type of software is embedded into the hardware normally in the
Read Only Memory (ROM) as a part of a large system and is used to
support certain functionality under the control conditions. Examples are
software used in instrumentation and control applications like washing
machines, satellites, microwaves etc.

Reservation Software –
A Reservation system is primarily used to store and retrieve information
and perform transactions related to air travel, car rental, hotels, or other
activities. They also provide access to bus and railway reservations,
although these are not always integrated with the main system. These
are also used to relay computerized information for users in the hotel
industry, making a reservation and ensuring that the hotel is not
overbooked

Business Software –
This category of software is used to support the business applications and
is the most widely used category of software. Examples are software for
inventory management, accounts, banking, hospitals, schools, stock
markets, etc.

Entertainment Software –
Education and entertainment software provides a powerful tool for
educational agencies, especially those that deal with educating young
children. There is a wide range of entertainment software such as
computer games, educational games, translation software, mapping
software, etc.

Artificial Intelligence Software –


Software like expert systems, decision support systems, pattern
recognition software, artificial neural networks, etc. come under this
category. They involve complex problems which are not affected by
complex computations using non-numerical algorithms.
Scientific Software –
Scientific and engineering software satisfies the needs of a scientific or
engineering user to perform enterprise specific tasks. Such software is
written for specific applications using principles, techniques and formulae
specific to that field. Examples are software like MATLAB, AUTOCAD,
PSPICE, ORCAD, etc.

Utilities Software –
The programs coming under this category perform specific tasks and are
different from other software in terms of size, cost and complexity.
Examples are anti-virus software, voice recognition software,
compression programs, etc.

Document Management Software –


A Document Management Software is used to track, manage and store
documents in order to reduce the paperwork. Such systems are capable
of keeping a record of the various versions created and modified by
different users (history tracking).

On the basis of copyright:


Commercial –
It represents the majority of software which we purchase from software
companies, commercial computer stores, etc. In this case, when a user
buys a software, they acquire a license key to use it. Users are not
allowed to make the copies of the software. The copyright of the
program is owned by the company.
Shareware –
Shareware software is also covered under copyright but the purchasers
are allowed to make and distribute copies with the condition that after
testing the software, if the purchaser adopts it for use, then they must
pay for it.
In both of the above types of software, changes to software are not
allowed.
Freeware –
In general, according to freeware software licenses, copies of the
software can be made both for archival and distribution purposes but
here, distribution cannot be for making a profit. Derivative works and
modifications to the software are allowed and encouraged. Decompiling
of the program code is also allowed without the explicit permission of the
copyright holder.
Public Domain –
In case of public domain software, the original copyright holder explicitly
relinquishes all rights to the software. Hence software copies can be
made both for archival and distribution purposes with no restrictions on
distribution. Modifications to the software and reverse engineering are
also allowed.

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