Software

Different software icons

About

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.

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.
• 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.