What is Computer Software?

What is Computer Software?

Definitions & Applications

Computer Software Definition

What is computer software? Computer software refers to programming code that is executed on the
computer hardware that facilitates the completion of tasks by a computer.

What is a computer program? A computer program is a specific sequence of instructions written in
programming code that is carried out by a computer processor to complete a specific task. Thus, a
computer program is a piece of software designed for a certain use or task.

Computer software examples include operating systems, which allow for easy use of a computer's
processing power, as well as applications like Notepad and Firefox. Software can be physically stored
on the hard drive or at another location such as a USB drive, or it can be cloud-based and hosted over
the internet.

Multiple Choice

Operating systems is an example of a __________.

• Computer software

• Computer program

Multiple Choice

 ___________ is a specific sequence of instructions written in programming code that is carried out by a computer processor to complete a specific task.

• Computer software

• Computer program

Multiple Choice

Microsoft Office and Chrome are examples of software that is used many times per day by individuals and companies around the world.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

___________ refers to programming code that is executed on the computer hardware that facilitates the completion of tasks by a computer. 

• Computer software

• Computer program

Computer Software

Examples

Since personal computers have become ubiquitous in many
countries, computer software can be found across the globe.

In fact, because of the widespread use of computers in both
personal and business contexts, as well as the integral role
that the internet plays in the global economy, it is difficult to
imagine how today's world would function without computer
software.

A list of some of the most well-known computer software
examples includes:

●Operating systems (such as Microsoft Windows, Linux,
macOS)

●Productivity Software (for example, Microsoft Office
Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

●Internet Browsers (including Firefox, Chrome, and
Safari)

These and other specific examples of computer
software are used many times per day by individuals
and companies around the world.

Multiple Choice

It is difficult to imagine how today's world would function without computer software. 

• True

• False

Types of Computer Software

There are many examples of specific computer software that play a role in personal and professional
computer systems. Computer software can generally be divided into two categories: system software
and application software.

System software includes technical programs that communicate with the computer's hardware,
including its processor, and provides a framework for application software.

Application software includes the programs that do not relate to the basic functioning of the
computer, but allow you to do tasks, such as internet browsers or word processors.

Multiple Choice

 Technical programs that communicate with the computer's hardware and provides a framework for application software.

• System software

• Application software

Multiple Choice

the programs that do not relate to the basic functioning of the computer, but allow you to do tasks.

• System software

• Application software

System Software

System software is a category that includes many kinds of software, all of which directly relate to the functioning of the
computer itself. System software includes highly technical programs that allow users to make use of the computer's
capabilities.

This type of software interacts with the computer's hardware, such as its processor and motherboard, and provides a
framework for users to be able to use other applications on their computers.

System software could thus be thought of as a bridge between a computer's hardware and the applications that people
use. Included among other system software are programs that help the computer to operate at its maximum efficiency.

Some examples of system software include:

●Operating Systems

●Utility Software

●Firmware

●Device Drivers

Multiple Select

Examples of system software are (Choose all that apply)

• Operating Systems

• Utility Software

• Firmware

• Disk driver

Multiple Choice

System software interacts with the computer's hardware but it doesn't provide framework for users to be able to use other applications on their computer.

• True

• False

Operating systems like Microsoft Windows or macOS are essential because they manage hardware
and provide basic services for other programs. They are a software layer that creates an
environment for programmers to write application programs.

Utility software includes many programs like debuggers, disk defragmenters, antivirus software, and
registry cleaners, all of which help a computer to run efficiently.

Firmware refers to programs that are built into physical hardware, machine-level software that
allows for communication between hardware types, as seen in the Basic Input/Output System
(BIOS) that can be found in motherboards.

Device drivers are used by specific devices like speakers, printers, or a computer's mouse and allow
those devices to integrate properly into the operating system

Multiple Choice

_________ includes many programs which help a computer to run efficiently.

• Utility software

• Firmware

Multiple Choice

______ refers to programs that are built into physical hardware, machine-level software that allows for communication between hardware types.

• Utility software

• Firmware

Multiple Choice

Operating systems are essential because they manage hardware and provide basic services for other programs.

• True

• False

Application Software

Application software is another type of computer software, one that is less technical than system software.

Users are generally much more familiar with application software because it includes the programs that allow

users to perform tasks.

Some examples of commonly used application software include:

●Web browsers

●Word processors

●Multimedia software

●Spreadsheet software

●Email clients

●Graphics software

These and many other applications are installed on operating systems or hosted online and can be uninstalled

at the whim of the user.

Software vs. Hardware

Along with software, hardware is also a key part of computers. Unlike software, which is made up of computer
programs, hardware includes the physical parts of a computer. This means that every part of a computer that can be
touched is technically hardware.
Some of the most important examples of hardware include:

●Processors

●Random-access memory (RAM)

●Graphics cards

●Motherboards

●Hard drives

●Sound cards

●Monitors

●External devices (webcam, mouse, scanner, and printer)

Hardware thus consists of the most basic physical parts of a computer, and software programs hardware and allows it
to be operational.

System software communicates with and coordinates hardware so that the basic functions of computers are usable,
while application software helps users perform specific tasks on their computers.

Multiple Choice

System software communicates with and coordinates hardware so that the basic functions of computers are usable.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Along with software, hardware is not a key part of computers.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Application software is another type of computer software, one that is less technical than system software.

• True

• False

History of Computer Software

The history of computer software can be traced back to the earliest computers. Computers began to
emerge in the 1940s and 1950s. Before that, the only computers were located in the human brain.

The earliest computer software was designed to tell with the computer hardware through binary code
the task that the computer should perform.

The first tasks performed by software were large calculations. Eventually, programming languages
were invented which allowed for more consistent and complex instructions to be delivered to
computers.

This led to the creation of the increasingly complex software of today, seen in examples such as
server cluster management programs that can coordinate many computers simultaneously.

Multiple Choice

The first tasks performed by software were large calculations.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Computers began to emerge in the

• 1960s & 1970s

• 1940s & 1950s

• 1920s & 1930s

Lesson Summary

This lesson has provided the definition of computer software and has discussed some of its main features. Software
allows users to harness the powerful abilities of today's computers by communicating tasks to the computer processor
through computer programs. By instructing the processor on what tasks to execute, software is the bridge between the
user and the computer's hardware. Hardware can be distinguished from software as hardware includes all the physical
components of computers, while software includes programs written in programming code.

Hardware includes motherboards and processors, and software includes programs like Notepad, Firefox, and other
application software that is popular among users. There is also system software that includes programs that are essential
to the functioning of a computer, such as operating systems and BIOS. Operating systems provide the low-level link
between a computer's hardware and application software, while BIOS is a machine-level software found in motherboards.

Open Ended

Name one thing you've learned in today's lesson.