What is Software?

Many people use technology as a part of their daily lives. We hear many different terms in regards to our computers: hardware, antivirus, firewall, java script, the list goes on and on. Software is perhaps one of the most essential components of using a computer. Software is a use of various computer programs that instruct a computer on what to do. In addition to telling a computer what to do, computer software also tells the computer how its’ task is supposed to be done. If you use programs such as word processors, you are using a form of computer software. If you have ever edited an unflattering picture with a program on your computer, you have also used a form of software. Played Pacman on your computer recently? Video games too, count as computer software.

Alan Turning had the first theory about software in 1935, then in 1946, the first software bug became apparent. Finally in 1980’s software engineering was considered to finally be a serious career, but it was not until the rise of the Internet in the 1990’s when software engineering became particularly important.

Software can be useful to any type of person, as it can be used for business, extracurricular activities, school, and other purposes.

Antivirus software is one of the most frequently used types of computer software. Antivirus software is used to remove malicious files, such as adware, Trojan horses, spyware, and worms. Adware, once installed on a computer, produces pop-ups of various advertisements. In general adware is harmless, but spyware can be hidden within it, which can be used to gain information from the computer’s user, including banking information, passwords, etc. Trojan horses are destructive programs, disguising themselves as applications. A Trojan horse can allow the hacker to have full access to one’s computer, including the ability to upload and download files. Antivirus software is one of the most important applications one can have on their computer.