Outline of software

Last updated February 23, 2025

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to software:

Software – collection of computer programs and related data that provides the information for the functioning of a computer. It is held in various forms of memory of the computer. It comprises procedures, algorithms, and documentation concerned with the operation of a data processing system. The term was coined to contrast to the term hardware, meaning physical devices. In contrast to hardware, software "cannot be touched".^[1] Software is also sometimes used in a more narrow sense, meaning application software only. Sometimes the term includes data that has not traditionally been associated with computers, such as film, tapes, and records.^[2]

Types

Application software – end-user applications of computers such as word processors or video games, and ERP software for groups of users.
- Business software
- Computer-aided design
- Databases
- Decision-making software
- Educational software
- Emotion-sensitive software
- Image editing
- Industrial automation
- Mathematical software
- Medical software
- Molecular modeling software
- Quantum chemistry and solid state physics software
- Simulation software
- Spreadsheets
- Telecommunications (i.e., the Internet and everything that flows on it)
- Video editing software
- Video games
- Word processors
Middleware controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
Programming languages – define the syntax and semantics of computer programs. For example, many mature banking applications were written in the language COBOL, invented in 1959. Newer applications are often written in more modern languages.
System software – provides the basic functions for computer usage and helps run the computer hardware and system. It includes a combination of the following:
Teachware – any special breed of software or other means of product dedicated to education purposes in software engineering and beyond in general education.^[3]
Testware – any software for testing hardware or software.
Firmware – low-level software often stored on electrically programmable memory devices. Firmware is given its name because it is treated like hardware and run ("executed") by other software programs. Firmware often is not accessible for change by other entities but the developers' enterprises.
Shrinkware is the older name given to consumer-purchased software, because it was often sold in retail stores in a shrink wrapped box.
Device drivers – control parts of computers such as disk drives, printers, CD drives, or computer monitors.
Programming tools – assist in writing computer programs, and software using various programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include:
- Compilers
- Debuggers
- Interpreters
- Linkers
- Text editors
- Profilers
- Integrated development environments (IDE) – single application for managing all of these functions.

Products

By publisher

By platform

By type

Comparisons

History

Development

Software development entails the establishment of a systems development life cycle of a software product. It encompasses a planned and structured process from the conception of the desired software to its final manifestation,^[4] which constitutes computer programming, the process of writing and maintaining the source code. Software development includes research, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products.^[5]

Software engineering

Software engineering (outline) –

Computer programming

Computer programming (outline) –

Industry

Software industry

Publications

Influential people

References

↑ "Wordreference.com: WordNet 2.0". Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
↑ "software..(n.d.)". Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved 2007-04-13.
↑ "Translation 'teachware'".
↑ "Application Development (AppDev) Defined and Explained".
↑ DRM Associates (2002). "New Product Development Glossary" . Retrieved 2006-10-29.

External links

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[1] "Wordreference.com: WordNet 2.0". Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. Retrieved 2007-08-19.

[2] "software..(n.d.)". Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved 2007-04-13.

[3] "Translation 'teachware'".

[4] "Application Development (AppDev) Defined and Explained".

[5] DRM Associates (2002). "New Product Development Glossary" . Retrieved 2006-10-29.

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