Types of software

1.Software

Computer software, or simply software, is a generic term that refers to a

collection of data or computer instructions that tell the computer how to
work, in contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built,
that actually performs the work. In computer science and software
engineering, computer software is all information processed by computer
systems, programs and data. Computer software includes computer
programs, libraries and related non-executable data, such as online
documentation or digital media. Computer hardware and software require
each other and neither can be realistically used on its own.
Two types of software (DEFINATION)
System software Application software
• application software is software that
• System software refers to a program accomplishes a specific task or several related
that makes the computer’s hardware tasks.
work • Application software is computer software
designed to perform a group of coordinated
functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of
• System software (systems software) is the user. Examples of an application include a
computer software designed to word processor, a spreadsheet, an accounting
operate and control the computer application, a web browser, a media player, an
aeronautical flight simulator, a console game or
hardware and to provide a platform a photo editor. The collective noun application
for running application software. software refers to all applications collectively.
System software can be separated This contrasts with system software, which is
into two different categories, mainly involved with running the computer.
operating systems and utility software.
 Difference

APPLICATION S/W SYSTEM S/W

• Application software is computer software

• System software is computer software
designed to help the user to perform specific
tasks designed to operate the computer
hardware and to provide a platform for
running application software.
• It executes as and when required.
• It execute all the time on the computer
• The number of application software is much
more than system software. • The number of system software is less
than application software
• Application Software performs in an
environment which created by • System software creates its own
System/Operating System environment to run itself.
Hardware versus Software comparison chart
Hardware versus Software comparison chart
Hardware Software
Definition Devices that are required to store and execute (or run) the software. Collection of instructions that enables a user to interact with the
computer. Software is a program that enables a computer to
perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components
of the system (hardware)
Types Input, storage, processing, control, and output devices. System software, Programming software, and Application
software.
Function Hardware serve as the delivery system for software solutions. The hardware of a To perform the specific task you need to complete. Software is
computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and data, which are generally not needed to for the hardware to perform its basic
“soft” in the sense that they are readily created, modified, or erased on the comput level tasks such as turning on and reponding to input.
Examples CD-ROM, monitor, printer, video card, scanners , label makers, routers and modems. QuickBooks, Adobe Acrobat, Google Chrome, Microsoft Word,
Microsoft Excel, Apple Maps
Inter Hardware starts functioning once software is loaded. To deliver its set of instructions, Software is installed on
dependency hardware.
Failure Hardware failure is random. Hardware does have increasing failure at the last stage. Software failure is systematic. Software does not have an
increasing failure rate.
Durability Hardware wears out over time. Software does not wear out over time. However, bugs are
discovered in software as time passes.
Nature Hardware is physical in nature. Software is logical in nature.
 Assembly Language VS Machine
Language
Readability:
• The readability of Assembly Language is very high as it is written in English which is understandable by human beings.
• The readability of Machine Language is less as compared to Assembly Language because it is written in the form of binary code which normal human being
cannot understand. But this is the actual language of computer.
Platform Dependency:
• The Assembly Language is platform dependent and so at the present time most programs are written in third generation language.
• Machine Language varies from platform. Different platform have different machine language code.
Modifiable:
•  It is necessary for survival of software to evolve.  So in order to avail this advantage the language should be easily modifiable. And Assembly Language is
easily Modifiable and its support changes.
• Machine Language cannot be changes easily and it does not support modification.
Quality:
• The risk of occurrence of error is reduced in Assembly Language.
• The risk of existence of error is high in Machine Language.
Memorability:
• Memorability is high in Assembly Language because it is easy to remember variable name instead of binary code.
• The binary code cannot be memorized.
Need of Compiler:
• In case of Assembly Language interpreter is needed which is knows as assembler in case of Assembly Language to convert its code into machine code in the
form of bits and bytes.
• In case of Machine Language there is no need of compiler or interpreter because it is mother language of computer. So computer does not need any
interpreter to understand its own language.