Software Types

·         SYSTEM SOFTWARE - System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computer’s hardware and application programs. If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications

Examples: 

The BIOS (basic input/output system) - gets the computer system started after you turn it on and manages the data flow between the operating system and attached devices such as the hard disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

The Boot Program - loads the operating system into the computer's main memory or random access memory (RAM).

An Assembler - takes basic computer instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits that the computer's processor can use to perform its basic operations.

·         REAL TIME SOFTWARE - Real time software applications are popular today as they provide faster accomplishment of tasks, operations and activities on the computer. These programs include media, building tools, computing and analysis applications, and system maintenance, to name a few.

Examples:

Anti-Virus Programs – Real time software which perform scheduled maintenance checks. computer software used to prevent, detect and remove malicious computer viruses.

Database Applications - Real-time software applications are deemed to be of great importance as they are used in various purposes, like airline database controls, and 24-hour transaction facilities.

Security Systems - a system that enforces boundaries between computer networks, real time software are applied in every security system to insure time to time safety.

·         BUSINESS SOFTWARE - is a broad category but specifically excludes games and entertainment products. See application suite, information system and BI software.

Examples:

Enterprise software - is purposed-designed computer software used to satisfy the needs of an organization rather than individual users.

Resource Management - is the efficient and effective deployment of an organization's resources when they are needed. Such resources may include financial resources, inventory, human skills, production resources, or information technology (IT).

Data mining - extraction of consumer information from a database by utilizing software that can isolate and identify previously unknown patterns or trends in large amounts of data.

·         ENGINEERING AND SCIENTIFIC SOFTWARE – is used for such fields as automated manufacturing, molecular modeling, volcanology and construction.

Examples:

·         EMBEDDED SOFTWARE – type of software that is built into hardware systems. This software is typically designed to perform one specific function, although a single piece of hardware may contain multiple pieces of software embedded in it. Any piece of technology that has circuit boards and computer chips will likely have embedded software within it, from digital clocks to cell phones to calculators. These systems allow many of the advanced functions that are common in modern devices.

Examples:

·         PERSONAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE – A personal computer (PC) software kind of computer program, procedure or documentation that performs some task on a personal computer system. This is any general-purpose computer whose capabilities, size and original sales price make it useful for individuals to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator.

Examples:

Drivers - A special type of program that allows specific hardware to work. For example, a video driver program is required for the operating system to use your PC's specific graphics hardware. This type of software comes with the hardware it supports.

Utilities or tools - These programs are designed to help you manage the computer or diagnose or fix problems. For example, you may use a tool to optimize the performance of your computer’s disk drives.

Programs - Anything that’s a “computer program” is also software, but this category includes software that may or may not be used for productivity or to produce output, such as a computer game (like the one in this figure) or a video editing program.

·         ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENT SOFTWARE – Software technologies that make a computer or robot perform equal to or better than normal human computational ability in accuracy, capacity, and speed. Two very different approaches rule-based systems and neural networks have produced increasingly powerful applications that make complex decisions, evaluate investment opportunities, and help in developing new products. Other uses include robotics, human-language understanding, and computer vision.

Examples:

Siri - an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator which works as an application for Apple Inc.'s iOS.

Robots- They have become common in many industries. They are often given jobs that are considered dangerous to humans. Robots have proven effective in jobs that are very repetitive which may lead to mistakes or accidents due to a lapse in concentration and other jobs which humans may find degrading.

Online and telephone customer service - Artificial intelligence is implemented in automated online assistants that can be seen as avatars on web pages. It can avail for enterprises to reduce their operation and training cost. A major underlying technology to such systems is natural language processing.