What is Software?

Software is the stuff that turns a computer into a tool. Without software, a computer is just a big, expensive, useless, chunk of plastic, steel and silicon. Software is what makes a computer behave the way you need. For example, wordprocessing software makes the computer behave like a typewriter. Database software makes it behave like a card file. Software is just a set of instructions that tells the computer how to behave; i.e., what to show you on the screen, what kinds of input to take from you and what kind of output to produce.

Some software is built into the chips in the computer. This software, called the Bios, tells the computer how to start itself up when you turn the power on. Usually this software tells the computer how to access its hard disk and system programs.

Once a computer is started, it relies on other installed software to perform its tasks. Most software is purchased from commercial software development companies like Microsoft or Wordperfect. Some authors develop software and give it away free; i.e., freeware. Some software is distributed freely and you're expected to pay for it if you continue using it after a short trial period; i.e. shareware. No matter how software is distributed, it usually comes with a "license agreement." This agreement informs you of your legal rights and responsibilities regarding the use of the software. Copying software is often prohibited by the license agreement. U.S. Federal law imposes a $250,000 fine for each incident of illegal copying of software.

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Last Tableized Thursday, 5 Jul 2001