Computer Software

Overview

Software is a collection of instructions, or source code, that tell a computer how to operate. This is different than the hardware, which are the physical components of the computer that executes the work. In a simplified sense, software can be split into two categories: the operating system and the applications.

Source Code

Main Article: Software Source Code

When we tell our computer to load a website or run an application, we are asking it to interpret lines of code that were written by a designer or developer. This source code is the set of instructions that tell a computer what we need it to do and which tools to use. Source code often consists of the largest parts of an application, yet it is the part users rarely see because it is handled primarily by the operating system.

Operating System

Main Article: Operating Systems

An operating system is a specialized type of software that is designed to manage computer hardware and execute applications.

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Application

Main Article: Applications

An application is a program, script or a collection of them designed for end users within an operating system.

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