CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE

1. System Software: These are programs necessary to run the computer. They provide the interface for the computer and control basic operations such as saving and printing of documents. System Software is divided into two, and these are: Utility and Operating System Software

             

a. Utility Software: This is used to carry out minor repairs in the computer system. Examples are programs to move disk files such as NORTON GHOST, diagnostic programs such as ANTIVIRUS. Antivirus is a utility software used in detecting and removing viruses from a computer.

Virus can be referred to as computer “disease”. It is a program (Software) that attempts to spread from computer to computer and either cause damage (by erasing or corrupting data) or annoys users by printing messages or altering what is displayed on the screen.

 

b. Operating System Software: The operating system is the foundation software on which programs, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, CorelDraw, Adobe PageMaker etc depend. It can also be referred to as the software that controls and manages your computer by translating your instructions into a language you hardware can understand. Examples are: Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/XP/7/8, Linux, Unix and 10. The most popular one is Microsoft Windows. Operating System is also divided into two types, these are:

i.Windows Operating System: this is a Graphic User Interface (GUI). It makes use of text and graphics to display information. It contains multiple colours and pictures. It can be used to play movies, audio/video CD etc. likewise, it can be referred to as user-friendly. This is because it was designed to be as easy as possible for all users.

ii.Disk Operating System: This is referred to as Character User Interface (CUI). That is, it make use of characters or text to display information. Disk Operating System accepts only the Keyboard. It does not work with the mouse. It is not as easy as Windows Operating System. This is because most of the commands used are crammed.  

2. Application Software: These are software or programs used in carrying out some specific tasks or jobs you want the computer to do. It is also known as Application Package. Application software is divided into two, these are:

a. General Application Software: These are common software we can easily have access to. Even if they are not in your computer, you can easily buy and install them examples are:

Microsoft Word   for    Typing Documents

Microsoft Excel   for    Accounting Function

Dbase                   for    Data Processing

PageMaker            for    Advanced typing e.g News Papers

Corel Draw           for    Designs and Graphics

Lotus 123              for    Accounting Functions etc.

b. User-define or Customized Application Software: These types of software are not like the General Application Software; you can only get them on request. They are customized to soothe your business or purpose. For instance, someone that has a Video Club cannot go for general application software. This is because, general application software cannot contain all the necessary components required to carryout his business. At least, a video club manager needs a program that can monitor how films are being rented out necessary returns made. Likewise, a bank manager cannot go for a program that will expose his bank to the world. What I am saying in essence is that Customized Application Software are not common. So you can only get them through some specialized set of people known as Software programmers.