SOFTWARE

Software refers to computer programs that are designed by a computer programmer or, more likely, a team of computer programmers, to perform a particular function. The software is either embedded in a device, such as a hand-held device or appliance, or installed on a computer.

Software comes in many different types for many different users. Examples of these types include the computer's disk operating system (DOS) software; user interface; programming software; browsers; entertainment software, such as gaming; communications software; and utility software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and publishing.

OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE

The hardware components of a computer need instructions to order to work transparently to the user. These instructions constitute the operating system of the computer, frequently referred to as DOS, and are the first files to be installed on a hard drive. Several of these files are hidden from the user to prevent file corruption. The instructions in these files inform the various components of the computer system about such tasks as recognition of components, communications, data processing, internal data transfer, and memory management. The operating system also includes utility programs such as media formatting, addition and deletion of new hardware and software, and printing queues.

The operating system of a desktop computer is based on single-user design. When the computer is added to a computer network, another layer of computer operating system is required. This layer, referred to as the network operating system, instructs the computer about the presence of a network interface card installed in the computer and its address, and controls the flow of data and command traffic to and from the computer. This ability allows the computer to share peripherals on the network system and to access outside systems such as the Internet.

USER INTERFACE

Operating systems are complicated and often not intuitive to the user. Therefore, a software program called a graphical user interface (GUI) runs over the operating system to make the operating system easier for the user to operate. More importantly, GUIs allow a "family" or "suite" of products to share the same screen and operational design, making the learning of new software much easier. For example, the screen-design menu system provides identical icons for common commands among software packages, such as save, print, spell-checking, help, and basic document formatting. Microsoft's Windows is an industry leader. The Microsoft Office Suite, for example, offers word processing, spreadsheets, publishing, and database software that share a common interface and, therefore, a common screen design and tool menus.

PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE

Computer programmers program in a variety of computer languages. These languages are actually software that use more intuitive codes than the digital machine languages (0s and 1s) but that actually translate to machine language for use by the computer's central processing unit. C++ and Visual Basic are computer languages that do not require the programmer to know machine language.

Specific computer programming language is necessary to create nonlinear products that can be accessed through the World Wide Web path of addresses used on the Internet. That universal language is the hypertext markup language (HTML). Many software packages, most notably Microsoft's Frontpage and Macromedia's Dreamweaver, are available to make programming in HTML easier and most efficient.

BROWSERS

Access to software produced for access to the Internet requires a browser for searching the Internet from the computer desktop. Software produced in HTML is hosted on computers called servers. The address access path to the respective server and software is called the URL (uniform resource locator). Commercially successful Internet browsers include Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Software called search engines are also available for searching the Internet for specific items. Google, for example, is a search engine that can search the Internet for virtually any topic. EBay is another software interface that specializes in bidding sales by individuals.

ENTERTAINMENT

Software for the entertainment market has been accelerating in demand since the 1990s, particularly for children and young adults. Specific hardware is often required to operate the software, such as a joystick, handheld device, or console. The handheld GameBoy and console PlayStation, for example, require frequent new software to sustain the market. Much of that software comes on cartridges, using Plug-N-Play technology, so that users can maintain libraries that do not require the installation process required on desktop computers.

COMMUNICATIONS

In addition to browsers and operating systems, users have many other personal communication needs that require desktop-loaded software. One such need involves faxing information from one location to another. That capability has become so routine that taxpayers often submit their tax forms via electronic mail (e-mail) and users employ fax machines for such mundane tasks as renewing memberships, car registrations, and driver licenses.

Another communications need is transfer between personal devices. For example, personal digital assistants and cellular telephones communicate with desktop computers through data transfer. A technology that has become popular are transfers from the photographic feature of a cellular phone to a desktop for color printing. While most handheld devices are manufactured with embedded software, the desktop computer requires software in order to know how to handle and process images.

A frequently used software is for e-mail. E-mail has evolved into a comprehensive tool for communication between individuals and groups. Microsoft's Outlook is a common e-mail facility included in the Microsoft Office Suite. Capacities include creation of e-mail address files, communication with Listservs (online discussion forums), and use of document attachments. The maintenance of e-mail logs of messages is an important part of document retention. Courts now recognize e-mail messages and attachments as legal evidence.

Communication software does pose hazards. Computer viruses can be attached to e-mail messages, address books, and attachments. The hazzards of spam, unsolicited e-mail, and software that allows people to access and track another person's computer equipment require a software solution. Detection software to protect users from these desktop invasions is critical to efficient operation. Another necessary protection is called a firewall, which is software that scrambles the Internet protocol address of the desktop computer so that electronic communications cannot be tracked back to the computer that originated the communication. This is absolutely essential when the users of a particular desktop computer may be children who are vulnerable to predators.

UTILITY SOFTWARE

A number of software packages include tools that are needed by many business users. These packages include word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and publishing. Often bundled into a family or suite of software, such packages can be purchased and installed together.

Word processing is a text-preparation tool. This software allows users to produce such documents as letters, memorandums, and reports. Elements of document style such as line spacing, font selection, paragraph indentions, bolding, italics, and centering can all be accomplished with relative ease. Templates of preset-up documents are also available. The documents are saved to both online and off-line media. Advanced features such as tables, rudimentary spreadsheets, and database structures are not available in word-processing packages.

Word processing has evolved into more than a document-preparation program. Now that spell-checkers are accompanied by grammar and style checking and other advanced features, word processing has become a narrative tool that can aid in the creation process of such artistic works as stories, poems, plays, and portfolios.

Spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, is an essentially quantitative tool wherein data in cell locations are placed in rows and columns in matrix format. That makes data easy to structure. Rows and columns can be individually designed. Cell contents can be numeric data, alphanumeric data, or algorithms. Algorithms allow new data to be generated through formula results. Advanced features include financial and statistical functions.

Database software, such as Microsoft Access, allows users to maintain records of related information. For example, database software can be used to maintain the records of the customers of insurance companies. Fields of related information might include name, contact information, type and amount of insurance carried, date of last contact, benefit information, and billing information. These fields of information are relational to the key field of name and the fields together represent a record.

This software maintains the integrity of the data structure while allowing printing in many different ways, such as forms, according to the various needs of the user. Another major feature of this software is the ability to search the records for particular needs. In an inventory database, for example, a purchasing query could be done for all merchandise at or near the inventory minimum of the particular item.

Publishing software, such as Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Pagemaker, allow users to create pamphlets, fliers, and other creative documents using layout design. Style elements include such features as imported images, text and graphic boxes, and rich color, as well as portrait and landscape layouts.

An important software design feature referred to as object linking and embedding, allows software to share "objects" that are pieces of other data. For example, a spreadsheet object can be brought into a word-processing document. Any time the spreadsheet object is updated in the original spreadsheet software, the object is automatically updated in the destination document. The word-processing document, in this example, would automatically be updated without even opening the word-processing software or document.

Software serves the limitless needs of business and entertainment. The market for software is as dynamic as the changing needs and wants of users.