Computer Concepts: Software

Software

Software is the non-tangible part of a computer. It contains the instructions (also called code) that tells the computer what to do. Software is also commonly called applications or programs. The Microsoft Office suite that we will be using this semester is a collection of software.

Software is divided into 3 general categories:

1. The Operating System (OS). It includes all the programs that make a computer function: it turns the computer on or off, distributes resources (like memory and time) among other computer programs, and controls the input and output of information. The Operating System is a type of System Software.