As mentioned earlier,the term software refers to a set of computer programs.Its function is to guide the computer in its operations.Software can be classified according to purpose or acquisition.
Classification according to purpose:
Computer software may primarily be designed to manage the hardware resources or to help the user accomplish specific tasks.Therefore software maybe classified as either system or application software.
System software
System software performs a variety of fundamental operations that avails computer resources to the user.These functions include:
1. Booting the computer and making sure that all the hardware elements are working properly.
2. Performing operations such as retrieving,loading,executing and storing application programs.
3. Storing and retrieving files.
4. Performing a variety of system utility functions.
System software is further divided into:
- Operating system
- Firmware.
- Utility software
- Networking software.
The operating system
This is a set of complex programs that work together to control execution of user programs called applications and acts as a go between(interfaces) between the applications of the computer hardware.It manages input/output and storage operations in a computer.Examples of common operating systems are Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/XP,UNIX,Linux,Macintosh(Mac OS) and OS/2.
What type of operating system software do you use in the computer laboratory?
Therefore the operating system is the main program on the computer system.
Firmware
Firmware,also referred to as stored logic is a combination of both the software and hardware recorded permanently on electronic chips.Usually,a firmware is a read-only memory chip that is mounted or plugged into the motherboard.Firmware may hold an operating system,utility programs,language processors etc.
Utility software
Utility software is a special program that performs commonly used services that make certain aspects of computing to go on more smoothly.Such services include sorting,copying,file handling,disk management etc.The two basic types of utility software are:
1.System-level utility software:These help the user to work with the operating system and its functions.For example,a utility software tells the user when he/she enters a wrong command and gives suggestions how the error can be corrected.
2.Application utility software:These make the use of an application program smoother and efficient.These utility programs are commonly purchased separately or may be part of an operating system.
Networking software
This type of software is mostly used to establish communication between two or more computers by linking them using a communication channel like cables to create a computer network.Networking software enables the exchange of
data in a network as well as providing data security.Network software may come as independent software or integrated in an operating system.An example of networking software is novel Netware,windows explorer.
Application software
Application software,also called application packages are programs that are designed to help the user accomplish specific tasks.
The table below gives examples and uses of common application packages
| Software | Uses | Examples |
| Word processor | Typing documents like letters. | Ms Word,Lotus,Word Pro,Word Star. |
| Spreadsheets | Manipulation of numeric data e.g.calculating budgets. | Ms Excel,Lotus 123 |
| Desktop Publisher | Designing publications like newspapers, books. | Adobe Page Maker,Ms publisher. |
| Computer aided Design | Technical drawing | Auto CAD,Arch CAD |
| Database | Keeping records and files. | Ms Access,D base. |
| Graphics software | Creating and manipulating pictures. | Corel Draw,Adobe Photoshop |
Classification according to acquisition
Generally computer programs can be classified according to how they are obtained as in-house developed software and standard software(Vendor off the-shelf software).
In-house developed programs
These are programs that are uniquely designed and tailored to meet a particular users needs.For example,a bank may decide to manage its banking operations using a unique program developed by hired programmers.These programs are not available in the shops and once developed for one company or user may not address the needs of othe users.
Standard software (Vendor off-the-shelf software)
These programs are developed by software engineers,packaged and then made available for purchase through a vendor,a distributor or directly from the developer.A developer may bundle more than one but closely related software into one package to form a suite or integrated software as opposed to single purpose software.
Examples of suites are Lotus Suite,Microsoft-Office and Corel Word Perfect while those of single purpose are Quick Books and Sage Line 50.The word package is sometimes used to refer to these types of software that are packaged and sold by vendors.
Advantages of standard software over the in-house developed programs are:
1.They can easily be installed and run.
2.They are less expensive to acquire than the cost of developing in-house software.
3.They are readily available for almost any task.
4.Since they are thoroughly tested before they are released,chances of errors in them are rare.
5.They can easily be modified(customized)to meet specific user’s needs without involving expert programmers