Software and its categories

Software can be divided into two major categories according to popularity: application software and system
software. Within each category there are dozens, if not hundreds, of specialized software types, but for the purpose
of this study, we will concentrate on the most popular software type of each category.
Software applications refer to programs on a client machine which are written to perform specific tasks. Nowadays,
there is a wide range of software applications being developed including word processing programs, database
management tools, photo editing software, etc. But during the last decade the web has become the new deployment
environment for software applications.

System Software:
System software refers to the set of computer programs which are required to support the execution of application
programs and maintain system hardware. Operating systems, utilities, drivers and compilers are among the major
components of system software. Such components are the enablers and service providers to software applications.
Among these components, the operating system is the most popular and important one.
The Operating systems (examples :-Microsoft Windows , Linux , Mac OS) allows the parts of a computer to work
together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and disks or rendering output onto a display
device. It provides a platform to run high-level system software and application software.
Device drivers, including also computer BIOS and device firmware, provide basic functionality to operate and
control the hardware connected to or built into the computer.
A user interface "allows users to interact with a computer." A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is the part of the
operating system the user directly interacts with, it may be considered an application and therefore not a system
software.
For historical reasons, some organizations use the term systems programmer to describe a job function which is
more accurately termed systems administrator. Software tools these employees use are then called system software.
This so-called Utility software helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer, such as virus
protection. In some publications, the term system software also includes software development tools (like a
compiler, linker or debugger).

Application Software:
An application program is a computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or
activities for the benefit of the user. Examples of an application include a word processor, a spreadsheet, an
accounting application, a web browser, a media player, an aeronautical flight simulator, a console game or a photo
editor.
Educational software

Classroom management

Reference software

Enterprise infrastructure software

Business workflow software
Database management system (DBMS)
Media development software

HTML editor
Image organizer

Product engineering software

Compiler software
Integrated development environment
Debugger