Types of computer software

The first attempts to create devices for calculation are connected with mechanical (exclusively hardware) units. Later similar ideas were realized in the form of systems with so-called "rigid logic", i.e. Also had a purely hardware implementation. These devices had one significant drawback: they could solve only one type of problem and could not be modified during operation.

Therefore, the logical continuation of the development of computing systems was the creation of such devices that could be flexibly adjusted to solve an arbitrary task. And this is possible only with the use of software and devices that operate under these programs.

The creation of software has become another serious breakthrough in the field of computer technology. It is a mandatory addition to the hardware. For decades of programming development, different types of software have been created. These include system, application and instrumental programs.

System programs are designed to ensure the operability of the system itself, the interaction of hardware and software, the interaction of the computer and the user. These include operating systems, drivers, utilities, service programs and other types of software. Currently, the most common operating systems are Windows and Unix.

A variety of software related to applications, allows the user to solve a variety of tasks - from typing to complex metamorphosis with specialized data. Applied programs include: text and graphic editors, spreadsheets, games, translators, etc. A set of applications the user himself determines, depending on his own needs.

There is never a lot of software, but everything should be within reasonable limits. On the one hand, the more programs are installed on the computer, the more universal tool it is. On the other hand, these programs require more resources and can significantly reduce system performance.

A few years ago, very popular were computer courses for beginners or for users on certain software products. Although for an advanced user any kind of software is available for learning through the help system.

Instrumental software is a program with which you can create other programs. These programs are called programming languages and consist of a program code editor, a translator and a communications editor. Unlike the first two types, certain professional skills are required to use the tool software . Examples of tool programs are the integrated environment Delphi, Pascal, C ++ and others.

So, different types of software have different purposes and different degrees of complexity.