COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software  refers to a program that makes the computer to do something meaningful. It is the planned, step-by-step instructions required to turn data into information. Software can be classified into two categories:

• System software

• Application software

           System software consists of general programs written for a computer.  These programs provide the environment to run the application programs.  System software comprises programs, which interact with the hardware at a very basic level.  They are the basic necessity of a computer system for its proper functioning.  System software serves as the interface between hardware and the user.  The operating system, compilers and utility programs are examples of system software.

              The most important type of system software is the operating system.  An operating system is an integrated set of specialized programs that is used to manage the overall operations of a computer.  It acts like an interface between the user, computer hardware and software.  Every computer must have an operating system to run other programs. DOS, unix, Linux and windows are some of the common operating systems