Definition Of Software
A computer in general consists of two different parts, namely the hardware and the software. Software is used to describe the programs and the other intangible components of the computer, without which it cannot run. We cannot see, touch or feel software. Hence, it is intangible. |
When we come to the hardware of a computer, apart from a few most hardware parts are absolutely essential and remain the same for every computer. Hence, hardware is invariable. This is not the case with software. The programming language used may differ from computer to computer and from user to user.
Software is of two types -- application software and system software. System software is generally associated with the operating system and the user does not generally interact with the computer using these. It is the applications software that contains programs which the user uses to communicate with the computer. There is a third kind called middleware that may contain programs from both applications and system software.
Another small category of software is what is called utility. They are small and of limited capacity and may work independently of the operating system. There are also applets. These are applications that may accompany the operating system as ‘accessories’.
There may be different ways in which you can buy or get software. Shareware is when the software is sold after a specified trial period. Liteware is almost the same as shareware except that certain capacities have been disabled in the software. There is also freeware. This is software which is free but also has copyright restrictions. Or, you can decide to buy and register the software to your name. This way there are no copyright restrictions or trial periods.
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