 Software- Collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. Software Application Software System Software

 Systems software  Set of programs that coordinates activities and functions of the hardware and various other programs  Application software  Programs that help users solve particular computing problems

Application Software There are two main types of computer software; system software and application software. Application software caries out user-related tasks and can be classified as general-purpose, specialist or tailor-made (bespoke).

 Software licensing  Protection by software vendors to prevent unauthorized use  Software upgrades  A revised version of software that usually includes fixes of known problems, plus enhancements to existing capabilities  Global software support  Software that is distributed around the globe may require unique support mechanisms due to local political and economic conditions

General purpose packages A general-purpose application package is a type of software that can perform many different related tasks. Word processors, desktop publishing, communication, CAD, spreadsheets, databases, web page design, graphics and presentation software are all examples of application packages. This type of software is sometimes called generic software.

Database packages are used to store and retrieve information; Spreadsheet packages are used for tasks that involve a lot of calculations or for the production of graphs and charts; Word processing packages are used to produce text based documents such as letters, reports and memos; Common types of general purpose software

Integrated packages These combines many different types of application together in one single package. E.g word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics, presentation and communications. Integrated packages are much cheaper than buying many different application packages but their different applications have a limited number of features compared with individual application packages. Microsoft WORKS is an example of an integrated package.

Specialist application software Specialist application software performs a single very specific type of task. Examples include programs to work out payroll, calculate accounts, deal with stock control and handle appointments.

Tailor-made software Tailor-made, or bespoke software specially developed for a particular company. The main drawbacks of this approach:  High cost;  Time to develop;  Possible bugs.

 Freeware  Free to all  Copyrighted  Distributed in machine-readable format  Shareware  Freely distributed for a trial period  Pay a nominal fee to register with the author

 Public-domain software  Un-copyrighted  May be used or altered without restriction  Generally developed under government grants  Open-source  Free to all  Source code is distributed  May be used or altered  Popular under the LINUX OS

 Commercial software  Used most often  Copyrighted  Generally costly  May not be copied without permission of the manufacturer

Copyrighted software given away for free by the author. Although it is available for free, the author retains the copyright, which means that you cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by the author. Usually, the author allows people to use the software, but not sell it.

 Software distributed on the basis of an honor system.  Most shareware is delivered free of charge, but the author usually requests that you pay a small fee if you like the program and use it  regularly.  By sending the small fee, you become registered with the  producer so that you can receive service assistance and updates.  You can copy shareware and pass it along to friends and colleagues, but they too are expected to pay a fee if they use the product.

 Refers to any program that is not copyrighted.  Public-domain software is free and can be used without restrictions.  The term public-domain software is often used incorrectly to include freeware, free software that is nevertheless copyrighted.

Personal Productivity Word Processing Spreadsheets Address Books Multimedia/Graphics Desktop Publishing Photo Editing 3D Rendering Internet Web Browsers Home/Education Personal Finance Tax Preparation Reference Games

 Uses  Memos  Reports  Correspondence  Minutes of meetings  Anything to be typed  Functions  Create  Edit  Format  Store  Print text and graphics

 Uses  Newsletters  Reports  Brochures  Functions  Handles high-level publishing needs

 Desktop publishing (DTP) software enables professional designers to create sophisticated documents that contain text, graphics, and many colors.  Used for making high-quality color documents like textbooks, corporate newsletters, marketing literature, product catalogs, and annual reports.

 Uses  Comparing mortgage interest rates  Preparing budgets  Tracking weight loss  Functions  Manipulates numbers in rows and columns  Recalculates the results when a number is changed  What if?

 Uses  Sales tool  Demonstrate a product  Show cost/benefit projections on charts  Present audio/video testimonials from satisfied customers  May contain  Text  Graphics  Audio  Video

 Uses  Keep track of a large number of related facts  Query the data for specific information  Retrieve information in a variety of ways  Functions  Store data  Update data  Manipulate data  Retrieve data  Print data in many forms  Report on data in a variety of ways

 Uses  Maps  Graphs  Charts  Helps to  Compare data  Spot trends  Make decisions  Visual information is more compelling

 The programs often cost several hundred dollars or more.  Many graphics and multimedia programs incorporate user-friendly interfaces and/or have scaled-down versions, making it possible for the home users to create documents.

 Computer-aided design (CAD) software is a sophisticated type of application software that assists a professional user in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs.  CAD software eliminates the laborious manual drafting that design processes can require.

 Paint software, also called illustration software, allows users to draw pictures, shapes, and other graphical images with various on-screen tools such as a pen, brush, eyedropper, and paint bucket.  Image editing software provides the capabilities of paint software and also includes the capability to enhance and modify existing images and pictures.

 Professional photo editing software is a type of image editing software that allows photographers, videographers, engineers, scientists, and other high-volume digital photo users to edit and customize digital photos.  Can be used for retouching, cropping, removing red-eye, color corrections, and filters.

 Video editing software allows professionals to modify a segment of a video, called a clip.  Users can reduce the length of a video clip, reorder a series of clips, or add special effects.

 Audio editing software lets users modify audio clips, produce studio-quality soundtracks, and add audio to video clips.  Often includes filters, which are designed to enhance audio quality.

 Personal photo editing software allows users to edit digital photos by removing red- eye, erasing blemishes, restoring aged photos, adding special effects, enhancing image quality, or creating electronic photo albums.  With photo management software, you can view organize, sort, catalog, print, and share digital photos.

 Computer-based training (CBT), also called computer-aided instruction (CAI), is a type of education in which students learn by using and completing exercises with instructional software.  The military and airlines use CBT simulations to train pilots to fly in various conditions and environments.

 Entertainment software for personal computers, game consoles, and mobile devices includes interactive games, videos, and other programs designed to support a hobby or provide amusement and enjoyment.  Games, family trees, flight simulators.