Programs you can run on your computer. One way of looking at them is they are just
patterns of zeroes and ones either sent to you over the Internet or on a CD or DVD.
Mathematically are just auspicious very large numbers.
Software includes the operating systems such as
DOS, W3.1, OS2, W95, W98, Me, NT, W2K, XP, W2003, Vista, W2008, W7-32, W7-64, W8-32, W8-64, W2012, W10-32, W10-64, Linux, Ubuntu, Solaris, OS9 and OSX,
word processor, spreadsheets, browsers, email programs, newsreaders, compilers,
validators, backup programs, device drivers, utilities and games.
There are several types of software:
- open source
- Anyone with sufficient computer programming skills can look at how the program
works and create their own variations.
- freeware
- The program is free, but you are not permitted to modify it or peek inside to
see how it works.
- shareware
- You are allowed to use the program, but if you use it regularly you are
expected to pay a small fee. Sometimes doing so unlocks extra features.
- trialware
- You are allowed to use the program free for a while to test it out, typically a
week to 90 days, then it stops working unless you pay and
fee and register.
- shrink wrap
-
The program comes in a pretty box and you usually buy it in a retail store. If
you don’t like it, if it unsuitable or if it does not work you can’t
take it back since they presume you made a copy of the
CDs (Compact Discs)
inside.
There are many variations on software licences. Unless you have explicit
permission, you are not allowed to give copies of programs to your friends or to
install a program on more than one machine.
