What types of software exist
There are many types of software these days, each with quite original functions and features. For those technology users who are unfamiliar with digital issues and wish to understand in depth the types of software and be able to enter the universe of digital transformation, you are in the right place.
The following are the types of software according to the objective they have within the computer system:
Application software
It contains each and every one of those programs and utilities that derive from software programming and, that fulfill a specific task, in almost any area of daily life, that are used through mobile devices and computers.
The applications are the final product offered to the consumer. But we wanted to start with this one, because this way you will better understand the next ones.
Programming software
Through logical knowledge and object-oriented programming language, it is possible to design digital utilities to perform various functions, which we talked about in the previous point. These programs are the basis where the code is written to develop new systems within an operating system.
System software
We arrive at the base where the two previous ones are built. Among the types of software, the system one is the most important. It is the one that allows the user to use the operating system interface that is built into the device.
This is composed of a set of native programs or applications that have two purposes:
- to manage the physical resources of the device to coordinate tasks and to manage the memory for the use of the device;
- and, to provide a user experience so that the user can control and interact with the system.
In a simple way, we can say that the system software is who connects the applications with the hardware resources that the device has.
Now, if you got here you already have a general idea of the types of software according to the level of use and responsibility they have within an operating system. But, for a deeper understanding, using some examples might be useful.
Examples that fit for each type of software
1. Types of system software
Program loader: part of the operating system that performs the function of sending information to the system memory to execute programs;
operating system: system that manages the hardware resources and provides the possibility of launching applications to the user;
drivers: programs that allow the operating system to interact between the hardware and the user interface to use the device;
diagnostic tools: used to monitor and control the functionality of the physical resources of the device;
servers: execution tools that serve to receive user prompts and perform an action accordingly.
2. Types of programming software
Text editors: used to create and manage digital files composed of text. They read the file and interpret the bytes according to the editor’s code;
compiler: a kind of translator that builds the programming language into a program itself;
interpreter: basically a program that analyzes and transforms information about other programs
linker: this takes the initial objects of the compilation process, discards the ones that are not necessary and links an open source to the internal library and produces an executable file;
debuggers: a program that serves to “clean up” errors in other programs;
IDE: integrated development environments is an application that provides the programmer with comprehensive services to facilitate software development.
3. Types of application software
Office applications: are all those computer utilities that are designed for office tasks with the aim of optimizing, automating and improving the tasks in this activity;
databases: collection of digital information in an organized way so that a specialist can access fragments at any time.
video games: electronic games where one or more people interact with video images through physical controls or body movements;
business software: it can be said that it is any application that is created to optimize, automate or measure the productivity of an industry or company;
educational software: all those digital products that aim to teach a specific subject to users of any level and facilitate the learning process;
management software: a system made up of several tools to be used in tasks related to administration or numerical calculation.
These are the types of software according to their classification. However, there is another point that needs to be explained in order to understand how these products work commercially.
The software types contain all those applications and computer resources that make it possible from the moment you read this post from a device or computer, until you can apply automation in an industry and measure results immediately. As part of entering the technological world and the digital transformation this knowledge is fundamental to understand how and why computer systems work as they do.