Source: Software 101: A Complete Guide to Different Types of Software There can be multiple ways to classify different types of computer software. Continue reading to learn about the types, uses and examples of different software.

The term ‘software’ refers to the set of electronic program instructions or data a computer processor reads in order to perform a task or operation. In contrast, the term ‘hardware’ refers to the physical components that you can see and touch, such as the computer hard drive, mouse, and keyboard. Software can be categorized according to what it is designed to accomplish. There are two main types of software: systems software and application software.

Every day we interact with software that helps us perform tasks and increase our efficiency. From the Microsoft Windows that greet us when we turn on the computer to the browser we use to surf the web, and the application on our smartphone that guides us on how many calories did you burn today! Each one of these different types of software helps us perform our day to day tasks either directly or indirectly.