Instructions for the computer. Software comprises a series of instructions that performs a particular task is called a "program." The logic in the program written by the programmer determines what happens. The two major software categories are "system software" and "application software."
System Software Runs the Computer
System software is made up of the operating system and other control programs for managing the hardware and running the applications.
Application Software Runs the Business
Application software is any program that processes data for the user (inventory, payroll, spreadsheet, word processor, Web browser, chat, video calling, video games, media playback, etc.). The terms "software," "program" and "application" are synonymous and commonly interchanged in the same discussion. See
system software,
application software,
information system,
data processing and
wares.
Software Is Not Data
A common misconception is that software is data, but it is not. Software tells the hardware how to process the data.
Software is "run."
Data are "processed."