'Computer software,' or just 'software' is a general term used to describe the
role that computer programs, procedures and documentation play in a computer
system.[{{cite web
| title = Wordreference.com: WordNet 2.0 publisher = Princeton University,
| Princeton, NJ url = http://www.wordreference.com/definition/software
| accessdate = 2007-08-19 }}] The term includes:
* Application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks
for users.
* Firmware which is software programmed resident to electrically programmable
memory devices on board mainboards or other types of integrated hardware
carriers.
* Middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
* System software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to
provide the necessary services for application software.
* Software testing is a domain independent of development and programming. It
consists of various methods to test and declare a software product fit before
it can be launched for use by either an individual or a group. Many tests on
functionality, performance and appearance are conducted by modern testers with
various tools such as QTP, Load runner, Black box testing etc to edit a
checklist of requirements against the developed code. ISTQB is a certification
that is in demand for engineers who want to pursue a career in testing.[[http://knol.google.com/k/vinayak-rao/software-
testing/2q3y6fz7t2jis/2 The Complete Software testing Theory, Rao. Vinayak
2008 MBA Test Engineer]]
* Testware which is an umbrella term or container term for all utilities and
application software that serve in combination for testing a software package
but not necessarily may optionally contribute to operational purposes. As
such, testware is not a standing configuration but merely a working
environment for application software or subsets thereof. Software includes websites, programs, video games, etc. that are coded by
programming languages like C, C++, etc. "Software" is sometimes used in a broader context to mean anything which is not
hardware but which is used with hardware, such as film, tapes and
records.[software..(n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved 2007-04-
13, from Dictionary.com website:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/software]
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