Editing Computing (section)

=== Computer software ===
{{Main|Computer software}}
Computer software, or just ''software'', is a collection of computer programs and related data, which provides instructions to a computer. Software refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of the computer. It is a set of ''programs, procedures, algorithms,'' as well as its ''documentation'' concerned with the operation of a data processing system.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} Program software performs the [[Function (engineering)|function]] of the [[Computer program|program]] it implements, either by directly providing [[instruction (computer science)|instructions]] to the computer hardware or by serving as input to another piece of software. The [[Terminology|term]] was coined to contrast with the old term ''[[Computer hardware|hardware]]'' (meaning physical devices). In contrast to hardware, software is intangible.<ref>{{cite web| title = Wordreference.com: WordNet 2.0| publisher = Princeton University, Princeton, NJ| url = http://www.wordreference.com/definition/software
| access-date = 19 August 2007 }}</ref>

Software is also sometimes used in a more narrow sense, meaning application software only.

====System software====
{{Main|System software}}

System software, or systems software, is computer software designed to operate and control computer hardware, and to provide a platform for running application software. System software includes [[operating system]]s, [[utility software]], [[device driver]]s, [[window system]]s, and [[firmware]]. Frequently used development tools such as [[compiler]]s, [[linker (computing)|linker]]s, and [[Debugging|debuggers]] are classified as system software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rouse |first=Margaret |date=March 2019 |title=system software |url=https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/system-software |website=WhatIs.com |publisher=TechTarget}}</ref> [[System software]] and [[middleware]] manage and integrate a computer's capabilities, but typically do not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user, unlike application software.

==== Application software ====
{{Main|Application software}}

Application software, also known as an ''application'' or an ''app'', is computer software designed to help the user perform specific tasks. Examples include [[enterprise software]], [[accounting software]], [[office suite]]s, [[graphics software]], and [[media player (application software)|media player]]s. Many application programs deal principally with [[Document file format|documents]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Basic Computer Terms |url=https://web.pdx.edu/~stipakb/download/PA550/BasicComputerTerms.htm |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=web.pdx.edu}}</ref> Apps may be [[Product bundling|bundled]] with the computer and its system software, or may be published separately. Some users are satisfied with the bundled apps and need never install additional applications. The system software manages the hardware and serves the application, which in turn serves the user.

Application software applies the power of a particular [[computing platform]] or system software to a particular purpose. Some apps, such as [[Microsoft Office]], are developed in multiple versions for several different platforms; others have narrower requirements and are generally referred to by the platform they run on. For example, a ''[[Geographic information system|geography]] application for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]'' or an ''[[Android (operating system)|Android]] application for [[Educational software|education]]'' or ''[[Linux gaming]]''. Applications that run only on one platform and increase the desirability of that platform due to the popularity of the application, known as [[killer application]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The Fibreculture Journal : 25 {{!}} FCJ-181 There's a History for That: Apps and Mundane Software as Commodity |journal=The Fibreculture Journal |issue=FCJ-181 |url=https://twentyfive.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-181-theres-a-history-for-that-apps-and-mundane-software-as-commodity/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |language=en-US |last1=Morris (Aff1) |first1=Jeremy Wade |last2=Elkins (Aff1) |first2=Evan }}</ref>