Types of Software

Types of Software:

There are two main categories of computer software that you need to know about.  They are:

1. System software – the Operating System, utility programs and drivers
2. Application software – the everyday programs that you use such as Microsoft Office, graphics packages and web browsers.
We will look at each of these categories in a bit more detail over the next few pages.

System software:

The system software is basically a soft ware that enables the application soft ware to interact with computer and helps the computer to manage its internal as well as external resources. System software is needed to run application software, however the reverse in not possible. There are three basic types of system software,

1. Operating System
2. Utility Programs
3. Language Translator

1. Operating System:
This is the principal component of system soft ware in any computer system. It manages the basic operation of computer system. The Examples of OS are DOS, Windows, UNIX, LINUX etc.

2.Utility Programs:
Utility programs are special programs offered that either enhance existing functions or provides those services which are not provided by system soft ware. The principal services offered by utilities are following,

• Backup
• Data Recovery
• File Defragmentation
• Virus protection
• Data Compression
• File repairing

3.Language Translator:

A language translator is a soft ware that translates a program written by a programmer in a language such as C, HTML into machine language (0, 1) which the computer understands. 

There are three types of language translators are there, which are given below.

• Compiler
• Interpreter
• Assembler

Compiler:

This translates high level language program into machine language. This coverts whole program line by line but executes whole program at once. It is also called before compilation.

Interpreter:

This translates high level language program into machine language. This converts and executes whole program line by line. It is also called immediately execution.

Assembler:

Assembler interprets assembly language program into machine language.

 Application software:

 A programs designed to make user more productive.

 There are following  types of Application software.

• Groupware:would help your team work together if you bothered to use it

• shareware:  Pay the author if you use it(software that are on trail version)

• Public Domain software/off the shelf:Software which is not specifically designed for a customers requirements.
• Free ware:Software which is not specifically designed for a customers requirements.
• Open source software: Software that is written in such a way that others are encouraged to freely redistribute it, and all changes to the code must be made freely available.  
• Bloatware:Software that has lots of features and requires considerable disk space and RAM

•  shovelwar:Software that is hastily made, without proper testing, and 'shoveled' down consumers throats in order to make some quick cash. 

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