The digital age is being transformed by different innovations, computer software is one of them and it is playing an important role in the age where everyone is using the internet. Know the two types of computer system in this article.
Understanding how software works and its importance in this generation can bring you a lot of benefits especially for aspiring developers.
History of Software
Tom Kilburrn, a computer scientist is the one responsible for writing the world’s very first piece of software at the University of Manchester in England, United Kingdom. The first piece of software that they created was programmed to perform mathematical calculations and the first ever task it did was to correctly compute the greatest divisor of 2 to the power of 18 (262,144) which “only” took 52 minutes to be solved.
1970s and 1980s were the times “software” hit it big time as this was also the time personal computers arrived.
What is Computer Software?
To put it simply, software is best defined as a set of instructions, data or programs to make computers operate and execute specific tasks. A software is like a variable part of the computer that is flexible and viable for any type of change while hardware is the invariable part. Made by binary language (ones and zeroes) there are various types of software you have to be aware of, as a start.
System Software
System Software is acting as a mediator between the user and the computer for a full function. It runs in the background and coordinates the functions of the hardware and the software to provide an environment for all the other types of software to work in. The perfect example of a system software is the OS as it manages all the other computer programs.
Four Types of System Software
Operating Systems
Firmware
Utilities
Device Drivers
Some of the best examples of OS are Linux, Windows and iOS. It is a system that helps execute programs that offer a computer application’s general services. Technically the main part of the computer system.
A type of system software that is embedded into hardware devices to help them operate effectively. It offers a low-level control for certain device hardware.
Basically used to support the computer infrastructure, helps by maintaining the proper and smooth functioning of a computer system. Some of its duties are virus detection, installing and uninstalling, backup data, unwanted files deletion, etc.
A special type of system software that communicates with the computer hardware. It’s like the communication mode of the operating system and the hardware.
Application Software
Application software are end-users programs that function according to what the user needs. Developers create applications based on the demand, and the evolving needs of users to accomplish certain tasks.
So those applications that you use for graphic designing, researching online, drafting documents, playing games or watching games are all application software that supports you in your everyday internet journey.
Various Types of Application Software
Database Software – A type of software that allows users to manage databases easily. It allows users to carry out diverse operations related to creation, administration, modification and organization.
One great example of a database software is Vision Law System, a software specifically made for law firms for efficient management of their legal data. #1 case management software in the United Arab Emirates right now as it is optimizing the use of Artificial Intelligence for its key features.
Open-Source – A type of software that is free of cost, is available with source code that allows users to make changes and transformations such as adding features and other.
Freeware – Also available for free on the internet that you can download for a lifetime. But is created by companies with different purposes, and doesn’t come with a source code.
Multimedia Software – This is the application software that is everyone’s favorite, it’s the type of software where users can record and play music, as well as for creating images. If you are using Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, this is that type of software.
This type of software has a massive application in the field of graphic designing as this is the type of software they mainly use for creating gifs, images, animations, and edit videos
Word processors – As the name suggests, it is an application software that is designed to allow users to format, store and print their data and documents respectively using word processes.
Web Browsers – Helps users browse the internet, fetch data across the web and also position it. This is the software that allows us to access the internet so that you can find the information that you need.
Hardware is definitely an important part of the computer system and so is software. Aspiring developers are definitely the ones who should be taking it seriously, reading articles like this will be a great first step for them.
