Types of software
A layer structure showing where
Operating System is located on generally used software systems on desktops
Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes: system software, programming software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.
System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes:
- device drivers,
- operating systems,
- servers,
- utilities,
- Faraware,
- windowing systems,
(these things need not be distinct)
The purpose of systems software is to unburden the applications programmer from the details of the particular computer complex being used, including such accessory devices as communications, printers, readers, displays, keyboards, etc. And also to partition the computer's resources such as memory and processor time in a safe and stable manner.
Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include:
- compilers,
- debuggers,
- interpreters,
- linkers,
- text editors,
An Integrated development environment (IDE) is a single application that attempts to manage all these functions.
Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (not directly computer development related) tasks. Typical applications include:
- industrial automation,
- business software,
- computer games,
- telecommunications, (ie the internet and everything that flows on it)
- databases,
- educational software,
- medical software,
Application software exists for and has impacted a wide variety of topics.
Industry and organizations
Software has its own niche industry that is called the software industry made up of different entities and peoples that produce software, and as a result there are many software companies and programmers in the world. Because software is increasingly used in many different areas like in finance, searching, mathematics, space exploration, gaming and mining and such, software companies and people usually specialize in certain areas. For instance, Electronic Arts primarily creates video games.
Also selling a software can be quite a profitable industry. For instance, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft is the second richest man in the world in 2008 largely by selling the Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office software programs, and same goes for Larry Ellison largely through his Oracle database software.
There are also many non-profit software organizations like the Free Software Foundation, GNU Project, Mozilla Foundation. Also there are many software standard organizations like the W3C, IETF and others that try to come up with a software standard so that many software can work and interoperate with each other like through standards such as XML, HTML, HTTP, FTP, etc.
Some of the well known software companies include Microsoft, Apple, IBM, Oracle, Novell, SAP, HP, etc........
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