Software is a term that refers to the information and communication technologies software, i.e. in the broad meaning it includes computer programs and data, such as everything that is not a hardware.Software originates by using a programming language. Software is a collective name for example for:
- Firmware
- Operating systems
- Office applications
- Enterprise software (e.g. economic software)
- Antivirus and security programs
- Web applications
- Malicious and unwanted software (viruses, malware, spyware, Trojan horses, etc.)
- Computer games
In practice the software is used only to describe computer programs.Sometimes, there is a confusion with the concept of information system, which is of course much broader, covering people, technical resources (hardware, software) and data. In terms of the business management, the software is only part of the whole business information system and performs a certain function in it.
The basic layout of the software in the business information system:
System software (provides a running of the applications):
- Firmware
- Operating systems
- Database systems
- Middleware
- Virtualization tools
Application software (briefly known as an application) – this is a software, which the user works with, and the one he needs to run the system software:
- Office applications
- Communication programs
- Graphic programs
- Antivirus and security programs
- Business Information Systems
- Management Information Systems, Business Intelligence
- Business Process Management tools
- GIS (Geograpic Information System)
- Development tools (for creating software)
- Web applications
Related terms and methods:
- Cloud Computing
- Data
- EA (Enterprise Architecture)
- Hardware
- ICT (Information and Communication Technologies)
- Information system
- Programming language
- SaaS (Software as a Service)
- Skripting platforms
Related management field:
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