Definition of system, program and application software, in addition to the definition of free software and proprietary software

Computers have two fundamental elements to be able to function: the hardware and software. Computer hardware is nothing more than tangible parts that we can touch with our hands. Software is an intangible element, which cannot be touched and which allows the system to function. In order for a computer to work we will need the system software. Then we will install other program software and application software.

A software is a set of tools or programs intended to perform one or more functions within the system. These programs, tools and utilities can be developed by users or by specialized companies.

Concept

The software is the logical part of any computer system and that allows the operation. A computer could work in machine or binary code. The graphical interface interprets the instructions we make to the system and then interprets the result visually.

Basically the software translates our instructions to the processor, graphics card or whatever component, to do the calculations and give us a determined result based on the instructions given. The software it translates the data thrown by the hardware and displays it on the screen in a way that is easily understood.

Within the software, we can find three main groupsThese are: system software, programming software and application software. Additionally, we can also catalog each of these groups in free software or proprietary software or licensed.

System software

This is the first major group within software and is the most important, since we allows us to communicate with the hardware quickly and easily. The maximum exponent is the operating system, which is what allows us to communicate with the computer hardware. We also have device drivers, diagnostic tools, remediation and optimization tools, servers, and utilities.

Operating System

Simple graphical interface that allows us to communicate with the hardware, interact with it and perform different jobs. The computer operating system par excellence is the Microsoft Windows. As free alternative we have the Linux / UNIX and besides, there is the Apple macOS, own of the company for its computers. Other operating systems are Google Android y Apple iOS for smartphone or LG webOS for SmartTV.

Device drivers

Are too known as drivers. It is a program that is installed once we have installed the operating system and that optimizes communication between specific hardware and the operating system. It allows the hardware to function optimally and efficiently.

Diagnostic tools

Allows hardware monitoring and control, showing hardware load, component temperature, transfer rate, and a host of parameters.

Correction and optimization tools

Tools that allow the software to work more efficiently and consume fewer resources. These utilities They allow to detect software that is giving problems, it allows to erase registries and other functions. Perhaps the best known and most used is the CCleaner.

employee

Application capable of attend a client's requests and return a logical response. This type of software can be run on any computer, even on special computers that operate autonomously and are known as servers. A widely used software of this type is VMWare.

Utility

They are tools that allow maintenance tasks, support for the construction and execution of programs and tasks in general.

Programming software

We know more or less the most common groups used, but all these tools must be developed and later, optimized and improved, by experts in development. To develop those tools, programming software required, Which are programs that assist in application creation and development, through logical and programming knowledge.

The examples more simple and possibly known are compilers and text editors. Initially, a text editor is used to write the program and then it is compiled, to verify that there are no problems or errors that could cause problems. The texts must be based on one of the existing programming languages. Currently there are also Integrated Development Environments, which are different software that have programming tools, based on programming languages.

Text editor

Programs that allow create and modify digital files that only consist of text and which are commonly known as text files or 'plain text'. The best known is the Windows 'Notepad'.

compilers

Translates a program written in a programming language into a common language, collecting different elements or fragments in the same unit. It is usually translated into machine language, although it is sometimes translated into intermediate code or text. These processes are known as compilation, which is nothing more than translate a program into another language and thus detect possible faults or problems in the written program.

Interprete

Software capable of analyzing and executing other programs. These differ from compilers and assemblers, in that, while they translate the entire program from the programming language to machine code, interpreters only translate the part that is necessary, normally instruction by instruction and do not store the result of this translation.

Linker

Program that takes elements generated during the first steps of compilation, the information of all the necessary resources, discards the resources that it does not need and thus links the object code with the necessary libraries and produces an executable file.

Scrubber

A program used to test and eliminate possible errors in the programs. Such code may be working in an instruction set simulator. This technique allows great power in the option of stopping when certain conditions are met, but it is somewhat slower executing code than with an appropriate tool.

Integrated Development Environment

Computer application that offers comprehensive services to facilitate the development of software for the developer or programmer. The IDE usually consists of a source code editor, automatic build tools, and a debugger.

app software

This is the one we use every day. Each of these applications, programs or utilities that we use within our computer, are included in this last group. This is the result of programming software and they are usually focused on a specific operating system, although on some occasions, these utilities can be used in more than one operating system. They are the third and final step and are designed for the end user.

Office automation applications

They are the etext editors, how can it be Microsoft Word, although spreadsheets, databases and other utilities are also included. Some are paid, like the one mentioned and some are free, like Open Office.

Educational program

Tools intended for training and that allow easy learning, with different dynamic and simple tests, explanations and examples.

Medical program

Software used in medicine. They are used to monitor patient ailments and easily detect possible ailments in patients. These programs are considered medical devices and must comply with specific regulations for them.

Math program

Tools able to carry out, support or illustrate different mathematical problems. They are a specific division within scientific computing, among which are computational algebraic systems, Numerical Calculus Systems, Dynamic Geometry Systems, among others. There are groups and projects dedicated to the study and dissemination of this free mathematical software, allowing to streamline the work using these tools.

Assisted Design Program or CAD

They are programs for the development of engineering, industrial design and architecture projects. They are often used to develop pieces or parts or structures. The best known tools are CATIA and AutoCAD.

Numerical Control Program or CAM

It is special software for machines that use tools and that are operated by programmer commands on a storage medium, compared to manual control by handwheels or levers.

Free software

They are programs or sequences of instructions that are used in a digital device. They have the mission of carrying out a specific task or solving a specific problem. The developer of these renounces to obtain income through these and offering them so that anyone can use them at will, as long as these third parties do not obtain benefits with them.

Free software allows users to freely obtain, copy, study, modify, and redistribute the program, but without profit.

"Free software refers to the freedom for users to run, copy, distribute, study, modify this software and then make it accessible to everyone"

Definition of the Free Software Foundation

Proprietary software

Any computer program in which, The user has some kind of limitation when using it, modifying it or redistributing it, either with or without modifications. Normally, these types of programs or tools they are the most common in the most important operating systems on the market. Some have a small cost and others have a great cost.

Possibly the most common and best known is Microsoft Office, the most popular office suite today and it comes at a cost. Not all proprietary tools or software necessarily have to be paid. As an example we have Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, two widely used browsers, which allows customization, but which cannot be redistributed, but they have no cost to the user. ValveSteam, the most popular digital video game store, it does not allow editing, distribution and customization, but access and use is free.