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1. Career development
2. 16 Common Types of Software (Systems and Application)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published August 18, 2021

Software programs enable computers to perform functions that many professionals use to do their jobs effectively. There are several types of software available, including systems and application software. Together, these two software types help computers run programs that allow you to complete many tasks, such as creating documents, editing videos or searching for information online. In this article, we define software and list 16 types of systems and application software.

Related: Basic Computer Skills: Definition and Examples

What is software?

Software is a set of data and instructions that tells a computer how to run and execute tasks. With software, a single computer can complete thousands of different functions. There are several types of software that enable computers to perform various tasks. There are two main types of software: systems and application.

Systems software are programs that manage the internal functioning of a computer to allow it to perform basic tasks. This software is essential for the computer to function, such as an operating system. Systems software also provides a platform for application software to run. Application software, or applications, are programs that perform task-oriented functions, such as creating spreadsheets. Because computers can perform many special tasks beyond basic operations, there are more types of application software than systems software.

Related: Learn About Being a Software Engineer

5 types of systems software

There are five main types of systems software:

1. Operating systems

Operating systems control all the software and hardware on the computer. Hardware refers to the physical parts of the device, such as the hard drive and keyboard. Operating systems perform the most basic tasks on the computer, such as monitoring memory space and managing input and output functions, which process information and display it for the user. These systems also provide the platform for applications to function on the device.

Read more: 6 Types of Operating Systems (With Examples)

2. Device driver

A device driver, also known as a driver, is a computer program that enables communication between the operating system and a hardware device. The device driver allows the operating system to run the device without knowing all its intricacies. The driver is part of the operating system and tells the system how to interact with hardware. Some devices that require a driver to work with an operating system include printers, scanners, card readers and modems.

3. Firmware

Firmware is a type of systems software that operates a hardware device by telling it how to perform. It works with device drivers to make hardware work as expected, but unlike a driver, which is part of the operating system, firmware exists in the hardware itself. Firmware is part of most hardware devices related to the computer, such as hard drives, routers, monitors and wireless network cards.

4. Programming language translator

A programming language translator is a type of systems software that translates code from one programming language to another. It converts programs in source code, which is a high-level language like Java or C++ that programmers use, into machine code, which is a low-level language. This means that only the processor of a computer can understand it. The translator also detects and reports any errors during the conversion.

5. Utilities

This is a type of systems software that supports the computer infrastructure. Utilities help the operating system perform tasks, such as data security, to keep the computer running smoothly. Many utilities are third-party tools, such as antivirus and file compression software, that users install separately to help keep a computer functioning optimally.

11 types of application software

There are many types of application software available. Here are 11 common types:

1. Word processing

Word processing software is a program that creates text-based documents. This application software has many features that allow users to write, edit and format documents. Some basic features of word processing software include the ability to format text, such as bolding or underlining, and tools to create tables, headers and footers. Many of these programs also have the option to edit the document for spelling and grammar.

2. Database

This type of application software allows users to create and manage a database, which is a set of data. Database application software helps a user structure the database so they can organize the data effectively. Some common features among database software include sorting, filtering and defining criteria for the data. This software can also allow users to perform queries, which are questions or requests, to analyze or change data.

3. Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet software is an application that can create electronic documents and arrange them by rows and columns. These spreadsheets can perform many mathematical calculations, such as adding a column of numbers together to determine a total. You can also use spreadsheet software to organize and analyze numerical data. Common features of this software include preset formulas for calculations and tools to create graphs and charts.

Related: Basic Excel Formulas and How To Use Them

4. Web browsers

Web browsers are a type of application software that users can access to search for information on the internet. You can use various web browsers to find data online. When you use a web browser to go to a website, the browser retrieves the information from a web server and displays it on your device. Many web browsers allow users to search their browsing history, set bookmarks of webpages and install extensions to customize the browser, such as ad blockers.

5. Multimedia

Multimedia applications are programs that allow users to create or modify multimedia, which includes images, audio and video. This software lets you combine these formats to create interactive content. You can use multimedia applications to play or record audio and video, edit files and improve sound quality by applying effects, such as noise reduction. Typically, multimedia software also allows users to convert the formats of files to make them compatible with different programs.

6. Presentation

This application software creates visual documents in the form of presentation slides. Users can add photos, graphics, videos or text to the slides to present information. Common features of this type of application software include the ability to format text, insert multimedia files and display the slides in a slideshow format.

7. Enterprise

Enterprise software is a type of application software that addresses the needs of an organization, rather than an individual. For example, a business with many customers may use a customer relationship management system, a type of enterprise software, to manage customer information, such as their purchase history. This software works to improve the efficiency of an organization. Other examples of enterprise software include online payment systems and project management programs.

8. Graphics

Graphics software is a program that users can run to create or edit images and illustrations, such as logos or web graphics. You can use graphics software to add text on a photo, crop images and adjust a photo's sharpness. Other common features of this software include options to add layers to images, resize photos and combine files.

9. Communication

Communication software is an application that exchanges messages in various formats, including text, audio or video. You can use this type of software to correspond with others using remote systems that transmit information between computers. Email is a common type of communication software that lets users send electronic messages remotely through a network.

10. Education

This type of application software is a program that provides instruction on a particular topic. Often, this software integrates multimedia content, such as videos, to create more engaging lessons. Many schools and educational institutions use education software as learning tools for students. Some education software programs can also help schools manage and organize data about their students, such as their parents' contact information. Some examples of education software include language learning programs or reference tools, such as dictionaries.

11. Application suites

Application suites are collections of different software programs that serve related functions. Each software program in the suite has a similar user interface, which is the way users interact with the software. These suites typically include programs that many people use often. For example, an application suite for businesses may include word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.

Please note that none of the products mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

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