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Software Classification

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What is Software?

You can see and touch the CD but not the games when playing games on a CD. The CD acts as the hardware, while the games act as the software. Software, often known as programs or apps, is made up of all the instructions that teach the hardware how to do anything. Computer software is programs that allow users to interact with the machine or hardware in a computer. 

 

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Different Types of Software

Now, we can divide software into two categories based on the language in which it is written and the platform that is required for its execution.

  • System Software

  • Application Software

 

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System Software

  • The system software is a collection of programs that operate, and control the entire activities of the computer system. 

  • The majority of system software is developed by computer manufacturers. 

  • These software products are made up of low-level programming languages that can interact with hardware on a quite basic level.

  • The channel between the hardware and the end-users is given by system software.


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Examples of System Software

  • Operating systems: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10.


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Features of System Software:

The following are some of the characteristics of system software:

  • Close to the system

  • Fast-moving, difficult-to-design

  • There is less interaction.

  • The size is smaller.

  • Manipulation is difficult.

  • In most cases, it's written in a low-level language.


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Application Software

  • A collection of applications called application software is used to complete a certain task. 

  • It does not control the operation of a computer. 

  • Without application software, a computer can function. 

  • Application software is simple to install and uninstall as needed. 

  • It could be a single program or a group of smaller ones.


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Examples of Application Software

  • Paint, Windows Media Player, Microsoft Sudoku, WordPad, Web browsers, and media players are examples of application software.


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Features of Application Software

The following are some of the characteristics of application software:

  • Close proximity to the user

  • More interactive 

  • Generally written in a high-level language.

  • Simple to use

  • Larger in size and necessitating a lot of storage space.


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Difference Between System Software and Application Software


Software

System Software

Application Software

Meaning

System software is a type of software that acts as a link between application software and the operating system.

Application software is a type of program that runs in answer to a user's request. It works on a platform provided by system software.

Development language

Low-level language

High-level language

Usage

Computer hardware is controlled by system software.

The user uses application software to do a specified task.

Installation

When a computer's operating system is installed, the system software is also installed.

Application software is installed based on the needs of the user.

User interaction

Less or no user interaction

High user interaction 

Dependency

The system software can run on its own.

There is no way for application software to run on its own.

Examples

Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 are examples of system software.

Word processors, web browsers, and media players are examples of application software.

 

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Fun Facts:

  • Spam makes for more than 80% of all emails sent each and every day.


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  • Since 2005, no human has beaten a high-powered computer in a tournament standard chess match. Are you a chess player?


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  • The earliest hard disc had a storage space of only 5MB.


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  • In 1971, the first computer virus was produced.


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Summary

In this article we have discussed the concept of software and its different types. First, we discussed the definition of software and the characteristics of its different types in this article. We have learned the differences between system software and application software. To know more about computer software, its types, characteristics, advantages, examples, or any other topics related to computers you can visit the Vedantu website.


Learning by Doing

  • Guide Miss Annie and Sam with identifying the various types of software. Give two additional examples for each kind.


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  • Tim received a chart with an image of some application software. Assist Tim in identifying these applications and provide three characteristics of application software.

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  • Neha was doing her homework when she discovered that a calculator is software that helps to perform mathematical operations. Support Neha in finding 5 real-life software examples.


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FAQs on Software Classification

1. What is an operating system?

An operating system (OS) is a piece of software that serves as a channel between computer hardware and the user.

2. What are the different types of software?

There are two types of software:

  • System Software

  • Application Software

3. List any 5 examples of application software?

Examples of application software are:

  • Microsoft Word

  • Microsoft Excel

  • Notepad

  • Window media player

  • Paint