Two main types of software
•Application software - software used to solve specific problems or perform specific tasks
•System software - handles tasks specific to technology management and coordinates the interaction of all
technology devices
–Operating system software - supports the application software and manages how the hardware devices
work together
–Utility software - provides additional functionality to the operating system
Software contains the instructions that the hardware executes to perform an information processing task
Without the aid of software, the computer hardware is useless
•
•Two categories of software
–Application
–System
Application Software
•Application software is used for specific information processing needs, including:
–Payroll
–Customer relationship management
–Project management
–Training
–Word processing and many others
•Personal productivity software :
used to perform personal tasks such as writing a memo, creating a graph, or creating a slide
presentation
Examples:
–Microsoft Word
–Microsoft Excel
–Internet Explorer
– Quicken
Application Software (Continued)
•Vertical market software :
application software that is unique to a particular industry
–Patient-scheduling software
–Nursing allocation software
•Horizontal market software :
general enough to be suitable for use in a variety of industries
–Inventory management software
–Payroll software
System Software
•System software controls how the various technology tools work together along with the application software
•Operating System controls application software and manages how the hardware devices work together
–Example: Microsoft Windows XP Home,
Mac OS, Linux
•Utility
–Uninstaller software, spyware software
