This chapter presents an overview of the major types of software you depend on as
you work with computers and access computer networks. It discusses their characteristics
and purposes and gives examples of their uses. Before we begin, let’s look
at an example of the changing world of software in business. System software consists of programs that manage and support a computer system
and its information processing activities. For example, operating systems and network
management programs serve as a vital software interface between computer networks
and hardware and the application programs of end users. |