Computer Hope

Software

Updated: 05/05/2017 by Computer Hope Microsoft Excel software boxSometimes abbreviated as SW and S/W, software is a collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer, its hardware, or perform tasks. Without software, most computers would be useless. For example, without your Internet browser software, you could not surf the Internet or read this page and without an operating system, the browser could not run on your computer. The picture to the right shows a Microsoft Excel box, an example of a spreadsheet software program. Examples and types of software Below is a list of the different kinds of software a computer may have installed with examples of related programs. Click any of the links below for additional information. It should be noted that although software is thought of as a program, it can be anything that runs on a computer. The table below also includes a program column to clarify any software that is not a program.