'Computer software,' or just 'software' is a general term used to describe a
collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some
tasks on 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 }}]
of the OpenOffice.org Writer desktop software The term includes:
* Application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks
for users,
* System software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to
provide the necessary services for application software, and
* Middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems. Software
includes websites, programs, video games etc. that are coded by programming
languages like C, C++, etc.
* Firmware which is software programmed resident to electrically programmable
memory devices on board mainboards or other types of integrated hardware
carriers
* 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" 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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