Outline of software

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to software:

Software – collection of computer programs and related data that provides the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. Software refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of the computer for some purposes. In other words, software is a set of programs, procedures, algorithms and its documentation concerned with the operation of a data processing system. The term was coined to contrast to the old term hardware (meaning physical devices). In contrast to hardware, software "cannot be touched".^[1] Software is also sometimes used in a more narrow sense, meaning application software only. Sometimes the term includes data that has not traditionally been associated with computers, such as film, tapes, and records.^[2]

.

What type of thing is software?

Software can be described as all of the following:

Technology
- Computer technology
- Tools

Types of software

Application software – end-user applications of computers such as word processors or video games, and ERP software for groups of users.
- Business software
- Computer-aided design
- Databases
- Decision-making software
- Educational software
- Emotion-sensitive software
- Image editing
- Industrial automation
- Mathematical software
- Medical software
- Molecular modeling software
- Quantum chemistry and solid state physics software
- Simulation software
- Spreadsheets
- Telecommunications (i.e., the Internet and everything that flows on it)
- Video editing software
- Video games
- Word processors
Middleware controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
Programming languages – define the syntax and semantics of computer programs. For example, many mature banking applications were written in the language COBOL, invented in 1959. Newer applications are often written in more modern languages.
System software – provides the basic functions for computer usage and helps run the computer hardware and system. It includes a combination of the following:
- Device driver
- Operating system
- Package management system
- Server
- Utility
- Window system
Teachware – any special breed of software or other means of product dedicated to education purposes in software engineering and beyond in general education.^[3]
Testware – any software for testing hardware or software.
Firmware – low-level software often stored on electrically programmable memory devices. Firmware is given its name because it is treated like hardware and run ("executed") by other software programs. Firmware often is not accessible for change by other entities but the developers' enterprises.
Shrinkware is the older name given to consumer-purchased software, because it was often sold in retail stores in a shrink wrapped box.
Device drivers – control parts of computers such as disk drives, printers, CD drives, or computer monitors.
Programming tools – assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using various programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include:
- Compilers
- Debuggers
- Interpreters
- Linkers
- Text editors
- Integrated development environment (IDE) – single application for managing all of these functions.

Software products

By publisher

List of Adobe software
List of Microsoft software

By platform

List of Macintosh software
List of old Macintosh software
List of proprietary software for Linux
List of Linux audio software
List of Linux games

By type

List of software categories
List of 2D animation software
List of 3D animation software
List of 3D computer graphics software
List of 3D modeling software
List of antivirus software
List of chess software
List of compilers
List of computer-aided design software
List of computer algebra systems
List of computer-assisted organic synthesis software
List of computer simulation software
List of concept- and mind-mapping software
List of content management systems
List of desktop publishing software
List of discrete event simulation software
List of finite element software packages
List of graphing software
List of HDL simulators
List of text editors
List of HTML editors
List of information graphics software
List of Linux distributions
List of operating systems
List of protein structure prediction software
List of molecular graphics systems
List of numerical analysis software
List of optimization software
List of PDF software
List of PHP editors
List of proof assistants
List of quantum chemistry and solid state physics software
List of spreadsheet software
List of statistical packages
List of theorem provers
List of tools for static code analysis
List of Unified Modeling Language tools
List of video editing software
List of web browsers

Comparisons

Comparison of 3D computer graphics software
Comparison of accounting software
Comparison of audio player software
Comparison of computer-aided design editors
Comparison of data modeling tools
Comparison of database tools
Comparison of desktop publishing software
Comparison of digital audio editors
Comparison of DOS operating systems
Comparison of email clients
Comparison of EM simulation software
Comparison of force field implementations
Comparison of instant messaging clients
Comparison of issue tracking systems
Comparison of Linux distributions
Comparison of mail servers
Comparison of network monitoring systems
Comparison of nucleic acid simulation software
Comparison of operating systems
Comparison of raster graphics editors
Comparison of software for molecular mechanics modeling
Comparison of system dynamics software
Comparison of text editors
Comparison of vector graphics editors
Comparison of web frameworks
Comparison of web server software
Comparison of word processors
Comparison of deep-learning software

History of software

History of software engineering
History of free and open-source software
History of software configuration management
History of programming languages
- Timeline of programming languages
History of operating systems
- History of Mac OS X
- History of Microsoft Windows
  - Timeline of Microsoft Windows
History of the web browser
- Web browser history

Software development

Software development (outline) – development of a software product, which entails computer programming (process of writing and maintaining the source code), but also encompasses a planned and structured process from the conception of the desired software to its final manifestation.^[4] Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products.^[5]

Computer programming

Computer programming (outline) –

Software engineering

Software engineering (outline) –

Software distribution

Software distribution –

Software licenses
- Beerware
- Free
- Free and open source software
- Freely redistributable software
- Open-source software
- Proprietary software
- Public domain software
Revenue models
- Adware
- Donationware
- Freemium
- Freeware
- Commercial software
- Nagware
- Postcardware
- Shareware
Delivery methods
- Digital distribution
  - List of mobile software distribution platforms
- On-premises software
- Pre-installed software
- Product bundling
- Software as a service
- Software plus services
Scams
- Scareware
- Malware
End of software life cycle
- Abandonware

Software industry

Software industry

Software publications

Free Software Magazine
InfoWorld
PC Magazine
Software Magazine
Wired (magazine)

Persons influential in software

Bill Gates
Steve Jobs
Jonathan Sachs
Wayne Ratliff

References

^ "Wordreference.com: WordNet 2.0". Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
^ "software..(n.d.)". Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved 2007-04-13.
^ "Translation 'teachware'".
^ http://www.bestpricecomputers.co.uk/glossary/application-development.htm
^ DRM Associates (2002). "New Product Development Glossary". Retrieved 2006-10-29.

External links

[1] "Wordreference.com: WordNet 2.0". Princeton University, Princeton, NJ. Retrieved 2007-08-19.

[2] "software..(n.d.)". Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved 2007-04-13.

[3] "Translation 'teachware'".

[4] ttp://www.bestpricecomputers.co.uk/glossary/application-development.htm

[5] DRM Associates (2002). "New Product Development Glossary". Retrieved 2006-10-29.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

Contents