What is Software and its Types ?

SOFTWARE

Software which is abbreviated SW or S/W , is a set of programs that enables the hardware to perform a specific task , all the programs that run the computers are software. The software can be of three types /-

• System Software
• Application Software
• Programming Software

System Software

System software is the main software that runs the computer. It activates the hardware and control and coordinates their fuctioning. The applicatoin programs are also controlled by system software .
"An operating system is an example of System software."

Operating System

An operating system is the system software that works as an interface to enables the user to communicate with the computer . It manages and coordinates the functioning of hardware and software of the computer . The commonly used operating system are Microsoft windows , linux , and Apple mac osx.

Some other example of system software include
BIOS = It stands for " Basic input output system " . It is a type of software which is stored in Read only memory (ROM) located on the motherboard , however in advanced computer system , it is stored in flash memory . BIOS is the first software that gets activated when you turn on your computer . It loads the drives of the hard disk into memory as well as assits the operating system load itself into the memory.

Boot programe = Boot refers to starting up the computer . When you switch on the computer, the commands in the rom are executed automatically to load the boot programe into the memory and excecute the instructions . THE BIOS programe has a basic set of cammands that enables the computer to perform the basic input/output instructions to start the computer .

A Device Driver = This system softwrare controls hardware devices connected to a computer . It enables the computer to use the hardware by providing an appropriate interface . The kernel of a computers CPU communicates with different hardware through this software . Operating system generally come with most of device drivers , if the operating system does not have a device driver for hardwatre . you have to install the device driver before using that hardware device .