Category

Description

Purpose

Example

System Software

Consists of a group of
programs that control
the operation of a
computer.

Operating Systems and

Utility System

Application Software

Software that can

perform a specific set
of useful task for the
user.

The purpose of the

system is to run the
computer, managing
resources: memory,
processes, etc.
The general purpose is
so that application can
be used for a variety of
task.

Open Source Software

Software that is the

source code to the
general public for use
in certain ways.

Machine Language

Native language
directly understood by
computers central
processing unit (CPU)

Assembly Level Language

Low-level
programming language
that does use wordbased commands.

For writing system

software.

N/A

High Level Language

User friendly and

similar to English, with
words and symbols.

So that languages can

be translated into
many machine
languages.
The complier does this
in advance of executing
the complied program.

Perl, ECMAScript,
Rudy, and Visual Basic

Compiled Language

Interpreted Language

Coded statements are

processed by a
compiler program,
which converts them
to machine language.
This language is
processed within an
interpreter program

Typically created as a
collaborative effort in
which programmers
improve upon the code
and share the changes
within the community.
These binary numbers
represent the actions a
CPU can perform.

The Purpose is to code

in an intermediate
language for the
interpreter.

Word Processing
Software, Database
Software, Spreadsheet
Software, Presentation
Software and
Multimedia Software.
Apache, Blender,
DSpace, Eprints, and
The GIMP

N/A

Example are C++, Swift

(apple) and Java

Examples are Python,

PHP, and Delphi