Various Types of Software along with their Examples
We come across various kinds of computer software every day that facilitate our tasks and boost our productivity. Examples of software include MS Windows, which welcomes us when we turn on the computer, the web browser we use to browse the Internet, the games we play on our computers, and the calorie counter on our smartphones. In this technological age, we even encounter a variety of software development trends that support the expansion of our businesses. We are surrounded by software that aims to improve our quality of life. Software is, by definition, a collection of data, programs, processes, instructions, and documentation that executes various predefined tasks on a computer system. It is also referred to as SW or S/W. User interaction with the computer is made possible by them.

Software is simply information processed by a computer system and programs, according to software engineering and computer science fields. The software consists of libraries, programs, and related non-executable data, including electronic files and online manuals. Both computer hardware and software are interdependent and cannot be effectively used separately. Modern computing systems have control and flexibility due to hardware and software. Computers are useless without software. For instance, you won’t be able to browse the Internet without the assistance of your web browser software. Similar to how no application can run on your computer without an operating system.

Today, we have AccessAccess to a wide range of high-end technologies and software that define how we live our lives and accommodate our constantly evolving and growing needs. Anyone may find the seemingly limitless variety of software types overwhelming, especially if they lack a thorough understanding of the different software categories and the users they serve.

Different Types of Software

Generally, there are two broad classifications: system software and application software.

1. System Software
System software facilitates communication and operation between the hardware and the user. Software controls computer hardware behaviour to deliver the user-required fundamental functionalities. System software can be considered a middle layer or intermediary between the user and the hardware. These computer programs authorise a platform or working environment for other software. Because of this, system software plays a crucial role in controlling the entire computer system.

The system software is initialised and loaded into the system memory when you turn on the computer for the first time. The system software is not used by end-users and runs in the background. System software is also referred to as “low-level software” for this reason.

Examples of typical system software include:

• Operating System: one of the most well-known examples of system software is the operating system. It is a group of software that manages resources and offers all the general services needed by other software using them. Although each Operating System is unique, most provide a Graphical User Interface that allows users to manage files and folders and complete other tasks. Every device, including desktops, laptops, and mobile phones, needs an operating system to provide for its fundamental functionality. Since the operating system (OS) dictates how a user interacts with it, many users prefer to use a particular OS for their device. Real-time, embedded, distributed, multiuser, single-user, Internet, mobile, and many other operating system types are available. Hence, we must consider the hardware requirements before selecting an operating system.

Following are some examples of operating systems:
Android, CentOS, iOS, Linux, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Ubuntu, and Unix

• Device Drivers: Device drivers are a kind of software that regulates specific hardware that is connected to the system. Displays, sound cards, printers, mice, and hard disks are hardware devices that demand drivers to connect to a system. Kernel and user device drivers are the two different categories of device drivers. Device drivers come in the following forms:

○ BIOS Driver
○ Display Drivers
○ Motherboard Drivers
○ Printer Drivers
○ ROM Drivers
○ Sound card Driver
○ USB Drivers
○ USB Drivers
○ VGA Drivers
○ Virtual Device Drivers

• Firmware: Firmware is permanent software that is stored in read-only memory. It is a set of instructions stored permanently on a hardware device. It contains critical information about how the device interacts with other pieces of hardware. Firmware is classified as semi-permanent because it remains permanent unless updated with a firmware updater. BIOS Computer Peripherals Consumer Applications Embedded Systems UEFI is some firmware examples.

• Programming Language Translators: These are intermediary programs that allow the software to translate high-level language code to simpler machine-level code. In addition to simplifying the code, translators do the following

★ Assign storage for data
★ Obtain source code and program details; provide diagnostic reports
★ Rectify system errors during operation
★ Some prominent examples of Programming Language Translators are interpreters, Compilers, and Assemblers

• Utility: Utility software is intended to assist in the analysis, optimisation, configuration, and maintenance of a computer system. It helps to maintain the computer infrastructure. This software analyses how an operating system works and then decides on a course of action to improve the system’s performance. Utility tools include antiviruses, disc cleanup and management tools, compression tools, defragmenters, and so on. Here are some examples of utility tools:

○ Avast Antivirus
○ Directory Opus
○ McAfee Antivirus
○ Piriform CCleaner
○ Razer Cortex
○ Windows File Explorer
○ WinRAR
○ WinZip

2. Application Software
Application software, also referred to as end-user programs or productivity programs, aids the user in carrying out tasks like conducting online research, taking notes, setting the alarm, creating graphics, maintaining an account log, performing calculations, or even playing games. The system software is located above them. Unlike system software, they are used by the end user, have specialised functionality or tasks, and carry out the intended function. For instance, a browser is an application created especially for web browsing, just as MS Powerpoint is used exclusively for creating presentations. Application software, also known as apps, is also known as non-essential software because its necessity is highly debatable, and its absence has no impact on the system’s operation. Every one of the apps we use on our smartphones is an example of application software. Software like Meteor and Flutter is specifically designed for the development of apps. These are also good examples of application software.

Different kinds of application software exist, including:

• Word Processors: Word processing software is used for documentation. Additionally, it aids in the formatting, printing, and storing of these documents. Word processor examples include:

Apple iWork- Pages; Abiword, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Corel WordPerfect.

• Database Software: Database creation and management are done using this program. The Database Management System, or DBMS, is another name for it. They aid in the arrangement of data. Examples of DBMS include:

○ Clipper
○ dBase
○ FileMaker
○ FoxPro
○ MS Access
○ MySQL

• Multimedia Software: This software can play, produce, or record images, audio, and video files. They are utilised for image, video, and animation editing; Multimedia software includes, for instance:

○ Adobe Photoshop
○ Inkscape
○ Media Monkey
○ Picasa
○ VLC Media Player
○ Windows Media Player
○ Windows Movie Maker

• Education and Reference Software: These kinds of software are created to make learning a particular subject more accessible. This category includes a variety of tutorial software products. They are referred to as academic software as well. Examples include:

○ Delta Drawing
○ GCompris
○ Jumpstart titles
○ KidPix
○ MindPlay
○ Tux Paint

• Graphics Software: Graphics software, as its name suggests, was created to work with graphics because it enables users to edit or modify visual data or images. It includes illustration software and picture editors. Examples include:

○ Adobe Photoshop
○ Autodesk Maya
○ Blender
○ Carrara
○ CorelDRAW
○ GIMP
○ Modo
○ PaintShop Pro

• Web Browsers: The Internet can be browsed using these programs. They aid the user in finding and obtaining data on the Internet. Several instances of web browsers include:

○ Google Chrome
○ Internet Explorer
○ Microsoft Edge
○ Mozilla Firefox
○ Opera
○ Safari
○ UC Browser

Apart from these, all software with a particular function belongs to the application software category. There is one more category for the software, though. The software can also be categorised according to its accessibility and shareability. These categories are listed below.

1. Freeware

It is available for free download and use by anyone who has AccessAccess to the Internet. Freeware does not allow the software to be modified or a fee to be paid for its distribution. Examples include:

• Adobe Reader
• Audacity
• ImgBurn
• Recuva
• Skype
• Team Viewer
• Yahoo Messenger

2. Shareware

It is software that users can download for free and try out. It typically has a time limit, after which the user is required to pay for the continued services. Shareware comes in many forms, including Adware, Donationware, Nagware, Freemium, and Demoware (Cripplewareand Trialware). Here are a few examples of shareware:

• Adobe Acrobat
• Getright
• PHP Debugge
• Winzip

3. Open-source

These types of software are made available to users along with the source code, allowing users to distribute, alter, and enhance the software freely. Both free and paid versions of open-source software are available. These are a few instances of open-source software:

• Apache Web Server
• GNU Compiler Collection
• Moodle
• Mozilla Firefox
• Thunderbird

4. Software

They go by the name of “closed-source software.” The source code for these applications is typically protected by patents or other forms of intellectual property. The use of these is highly constrained, and the source code is generally preserved and kept secret.