The definition of Software defined and explained in simple language. Define software: something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware: such as; programs for a computer — software in a sentence. Software Minimum Curvature.

• • • • • • • • • Examples and types of software Below is a list of the different kinds of software a computer may have with examples of related programs. Click any of the links below for additional information. It should be noted that although software is thought of as a, it can be anything that runs on a computer.

The table below also includes a program column to clarify any software that is not a program. Software Examples Program?,,, Yes, Yes,, Yes No, Yes,, Yes,, Yes, Yes,,,, No, Yes Yes,,,, Yes, Yes Yes,,, No Yes Tip: See our definition for additional examples of computer programs.

How do you get software? Software can be purchased at a retail computer store or online and come in a box containing all the disks (,,, or ), manuals, warranty, and other documentation. Software can also be to a computer over the Internet. Once downloaded, setup files are run to start the installation process on your computer.

Free software There are also millions of free software programs available that are separated into different categories. • is software that gives you a few days to try the software before you have to buy the program. After the trial time expires, you'll be asked to enter a code or to register the product before you can continue to use it. • is completely free software that never requires payment, as long as it is not modified. • is similar to freeware.

Not only is the program given away for free, but the used to make the program is as well, allowing anyone to modify the program or view how it was created. Tip: See our, for a list of software you may want to install on your computer first. Installing and uninstalling software • • How do you use computer software? Once the software is installed on the computer, the program can be used anytime by finding the program on the computer. On a computer, a program icon is added to the or, depending on your version of Windows.

How to maintain software After the software is installed on your computer, it may need to be updated to fix any found errors. Updating a program can be done using. Once updates are installed any problems that may have been experienced in the program will no longer occur. How is software created and how does it work? A (or several computer programmers) write the instructions using a that tell the software how to function and what to do.

Once the program has been completed, it is into a language that the computer can understand. • When I save a document, is that file also considered software? When you create or edit a file using your software — a Microsoft Word document, for instance, or a Photoshop image — that file is considered a 'resource' or 'asset' used by the software. However, the file itself is not considered 'software', even though it is an essential part of what your software is doing. What was the first piece of computer software?