Software is a term used to describe all the programs in a computer. On the other hand, a program is a sequence of instructions that is given to the computer to solve human problems.
Types of Software
we have two main classes of software Application software and system software
Application Software:
Application software are programs that are specifically developed for users. We have two types of application software.
Application packages (General Purpose Programs)
User's Programs (Special Purpose Programs)
Application Packages:
- Word processing packages
- Spreadsheet Packages
- Data base packages
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Graphic Packages
- Educational Packages
Word Processing Packages are used for document preparation. The packages can create files, edit text, check errors, form documents, print documents, delete and do and undo text. The features of word processing packages are so many. Our practical experience in chapter 8 would review the capabilities better.
Spreadsheet Packages
These are software that have worksheets for entering and editing of data. A Spreadsheet package is structured in the form that would allow the user to instruct it to accomplish many tasks like:- pay roll preparation, decision making, cash flow analysis, predicting, data presentation in form of charts like: column chart, bar chart, line, pie, doughnut, radar, surface, cone and pyramid charts.
Some examples of spreadsheet packages are:- Lotus 123, grasshopper, supercalc., visicale, Ms Excel, Ms Excel ascends all the above name spreadsheet packages.
Data Base Packages are used to manage information such as to keep records of staff, students, prisoners, patients and stocks.
These software can query a database for specific records exporting and importing data and generate reports of database records.
Computer Aided Design: this is used for engineering and Architectural designs
Graphic Packages: are used for art work some examples are Corel draw, Paints, and instant artist
Statistical Packages: These software consist of rows and columns like that of excel, it is used in the analysis of quantitative data using many statistical tools and techniques. Examples of statistical software are: SPSS, MATLAB and Ms Excel
Educational Packages: The mos interesting used of computers in education is in computer Aided Instruction (CAI). This is the software that imitates the teaching process of a teacher. CAI presents course materials on the computer screen, and questions are given to students to answer. The computer evaluates the students attempts, If answer is correct, computer will report correct. Other-wise it will report wrong, and after two abortive trials, the computer will give you the answer, Here is a chance for you,
Lechner (1984) emphasised that professor Pat Suppes, a pioneer in CAI used a highly structured CAI to present, drill and guide students with out classroom lectures at stanford university. Now many teachers are developing their CAI software to improve the educational process in their countries.
Expert System
Expert system is a computer that imitates an expert in a particular field of knowledge and skills
Examples are:-
Dipmeter, Advisor for oil exploration
Prospector for mineral exploration
Speril for earthquake damage estimation
El for analysis of electrical circuit
Internist, Casnet, Mycin for medical consulting.
AQII for diagnosing plant diseases.
User's Program
These are also user's software but they are for special purpose, in the sense that they are usually developed based on personal arranagement between the user and the programmer e.g CGPA sofware, pay roll, WACE package e.t.c