SOFTWARES
System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices. System software serves as the interface between the user, the
application software, and the computer’s hardware.
Two types of system software are operating systems and utility programs.
Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or
assist them with personal tasks. Application software has a variety of uses:
1. To make business activities more efficient
2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
3. To support home, personal, and educational tasks
4. To facilitate communications
Application software is available in a variety of forms: packaged, custom, Web application,
open source, shareware, freeware, and public domain.
• Packaged software is mass-produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs of a
wide variety of users, not just a single user or company. Packaged software is available in
retail stores or on the Web.
• Custom software performs functions specific to a business or industry. Sometimes a
company cannot find packaged software that meets its unique requirements. In this case, the
company may use programmers to develop tailor-made custom software, which usually costs
more than packaged software.
• A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from
any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Many Web sites provide free access
to their programs; some charge a fee. Types of Web applications include e-mail, word
processing, tax preparation, and game programs.
• Open source software is software provided for use, modification, and redistribution. This
software has no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification of the
software’s internal instructions and its redistribution. Open source software usually can be
downloaded from the Internet, often at no cost.
• Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a trial period. To use a
shareware program beyond that period, you send payment to the program developer.
Shareware developers trust users to send payment if software use extends beyond the stated
trial period. In some cases, a scaled-down version of the software is distributed free, and
payment entitles the user to the fully functional product.
• Freeware is copyrighted software provided at no cost by an individual or a company that
retains all rights to the software. Thus, programmers typically cannot incorporate freeware in
applications they intend to sell. The word, free, in freeware indicates the software has no
charge.
• Public-domain software has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions.
Anyone can copy or distribute public-domain software to others at no cost.
Middleware is the software that connects software components or enterprise applications.
Middleware is the software layer that lies between the operating system and the applications on
each side of a distributed computer network.
Firmware is programming that's written to the read-only memory (ROM) of a computing
device. Firmware, which is added at the time of manufacturing, is used to run user programs on
the device. Firmware usually cannot be modified during normal operation of the device. Typical
examples of devices containing firmware are embedded systems (such as traffic lights, consumer
appliances, and digital watches), computers, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and digital
cameras. The firmware contained in these devices provides the control program for the device.
