Computer Basics/Software/Computer software

Computer software
Software is any type of program which:
 * contains step by step instructions
 * tells the computer what to do
 * tells the computer how to do it

Without software, a computer system is a collection of plastic and metal parts that wouldn't be able to do anything.

Main types of computer software

There are two types of software programs: system software and application software.

System software controls the computer hardware and the computer system. Examples are:
 * Windows
 * Linux
 * Mac OS X

Application software are programs that make computers perform specific tasks. Examples are:
 * Word processors
 * Spreadsheets
 * Database management systems
 * Internet Browsers