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"Software" is the set of instructions the computer needs to do the work. These instructions are stored on a disk - either a floppy disk, the internal hard disk, a CD-ROM or a DVD.
There are two main categories of software: System software and Application software.
System software is necessary for the computer to operate. It enables the computer to "boot," carry out operational tasks such as copying disks and storing files, and insures compatibility between the computer and it's peripheral hardware such as printers, mouse and video display.
System software also provides a seamless interface between the computer hardware and the software applications you will be learning about.
Some common examples of system software are DOS, OS/2, Microsoft Windows, Windows-NT, UNIX, Linux and Macintosh OS X.
The computer loads the operating system each time you turn it on. If the system software was not loaded, you would not be able to use the computer to run your applications.
People do not buy a computer just to watch it turn on - we use the computer to type letters, keep lists, organize information and solve problems. There are many tasks you can accomplish with a computer. You will learn more about these tasks as you work through these lessons. You might even get a few new ideas about how a computer can be used.
Without software, a computer can do nothing at all - it requires system software just to turn on! The system software will allow the user to store files on a disk, copy files and disks, display the contents of a disk, and a few other "housekeeping" operations. To do anything more than this requires additional software that we refer to as "application" software. Application software is a program designed to do a specific task or set of tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics, web browser, accounting software, and many others.
Application software also comes on disks. To use the application, the disk is inserted into the disk drive. Most of the new, powerful applications come on more than one disk. Some of the popular programs were at one time coming on as many as 20 - 30 or more disks! When programs had gotten this big, the manufacturers began shipping them on a CD. One CD can store as much information as over 450 floppy disks. To use this type of a program, the software would need to be "installed" onto the internal hard disk drive or placed on a network. You will learn about installing software in the next lesson.
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