What is Software?
Software is a set of programs which is designed to execute a well defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to resolve a particular difficulty.
Types of software
1. Application Software
2. System Software
Application Software: Application software products are designed to suit an exacting need of a exacting environment. All software applications organized 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 simple text. It may also consist of a collection of programs called a software package which work simultaneously to complete a task such as a spreadsheet package.
Example of Application software:
Payroll Software
Inventory Management Software
Income Tax Software
Railway Reservation Software
Microsoft Office Suite Software
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Power Point
Feature of Application Software:
Close to user
Easy to design
More interactive
Slow in speed
Easy to understand
Easy to manipulate and use
Normally written in high level language
System Software: The system software is set of programs designed to operate, control, and enlarge the processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software is normally prepared by computer manufactures. These software products contain of programs written in low level languages which interact with the hardware at a very essential level. System software serves as the interface between hardware and the end users.
Example of System software:
Operating System
Compilers
Interpreter
Assemblers
Features of System Software:
Close to System
Fast in speed
Difficult to design
Difficult to understand
Less Interactive
Smaller in Size
Difficult to manipulate
Normally written in low level language
Difference between System Software and Application Software:
1. Definition:
Application software is computer software designed to help the user to perform exact tasks whereas System software is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware and to give a platform for running application software.
2. Purpose:
Application software is particular purpose software whereas system is general purpose software.
3. Classification:
In Application-Package program and customized Program
In System Software-Time sharing, Resource sharing, Client Server, Batch Processing Operating System, Real time Operating System, multi processing operating system, multi programming operating system, distributed operating system.
4. Environment:
Application Software performs in an environment which created by System/Operating system whereas System software creates his own environment to run itself and run other application.
5. Execution Time
Application software executes as and when required whereas System software executes all the time in computer.
6. Essentiality
Application is not necessary for a computer whereas system software is necessary for a computer.
7. Number
The number of application software is much more than system software whereas the number of system software is fewer than application software.