Software

What is software?

In laymen’s definition, software is a group of programs, applications or computation that provides instructions to the computer on specific commands. Software programs are intangible yet very critical component in making a computer function. These programs or “conceptual entity” in the science of computers are the ones that operate, control and provide specific commands to the hardware or the physical components of a computer—thus making software one of the fundamental blocks of computer operation.

It was a statistician named John Wilder Tukey, who coined the term “software” which had an earlier reference to all data or information being processed by a computer. In the earliest days of the “modern computer,” software—which is mostly firmware as we know it today, were included with the original equipment manufacturers’ machines. In the 1980s, the advent of personal computer brought by IBM, the emergence of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs for the companies that we know now as Microsoft and Apple respectively, has triggered a boom in software development—thus ushering the new era of computation.

Software nowadays come in different purposes for different functionalities. Being one of the core components of making a computer useful, these programs or applications serve to fit personal or business needs as it was designed or programmed to do so. An example of which is a firmware—it does function as a software, however it is treated as a “hardware” since most firmware are to function on memory devices; System software includes the operating system or the OS of the computer, which is the general commanding program for computers; Application software are end-user programs that provide specific functions such as Microsoft Office, games and all others; Device drivers are software that provide the programming in operating a specific drive or device for a computer; Some people do also consider programming languages such as COBOL, Turbo Pascal, Java and the likes as software.

With the increasing demand on proficiency, accuracy and productivity of both computers and users, developing software or applications has become one of the important components in the computer manufacturing industry. It offers more options, more solutions, streamlines processes for more efficient reporting or work. It is also taken note that with the increasing development in technology, a business has to protect its information and interests from malevolent hacking or infection of virus—thus the development of security software and solutions.

Here at PC Mall, we got one of the best inventories of software and applications that you or your business may need. From programs ranging from accounting, business and data management, word processing, end-user licenses, anti-malware solutions, educational or reference programs, networking to creative applications and more—all at great deals! PC Mall has the best reputable brands such as Microsoft, Symantec, Intuit, TrendMicro, IBM and others, giving you more confidence in the growth of your business together with PC Mall.