CLASSIFICATION OF
SOFTWARE SYSTEMS
• Application Software: is software that can perform
useful work on general-purpose tasks, such as word
processing or spreadsheets, or that is used for
entertainment.
• System Software: enables the application software to
interact with the computer and helps the computer
manage its internal and external resources.
Application Software
(On the basis of availability)
• Commercial Software
• Public Domain Software
• Shareware
• Freeware
• Rental-ware
• Pirated Software
• Custom Software
Commercial software:
• Commercial software, also called proprietary software or packaged
software, is software that's offered for sale, such as Microsoft Word or
Office 2010.
Although such software may not show up on the bill of sale when you buy a new
PC, you've paid for it as part of the purchase. And, most likely, whenever you order
a new game or other commercial programs, you'll have to pay for it. This software is
copyrighted.
Copyright:
• A copyright is the exclusive legal right that prohibits
copying of intellectual property without the
permission of the copyright holder.
Software manufacturers don't sell you their software; rather, they sell you a license
to become an authorized user of it. What's the difference?
In paying for a software license, you sign a contract in which you agree not to make copies
of the software to give away or for resale. That is, you have bought only the company’s
permission to use the software and not the software itself. This legal nicety allows the
company to retain its rights to the program and limits the way its customers can use it. The
small print in the licensing agreement usually allows you to make one copy (backup copy or
archival copy) for your own use. (Each software company has a different license; there is no
industry standard). Every year or so, software developers find ways to enhance their
products and put forth new versions or new releases.
Version:
• A version is a major upgrade in a software
product, traditionally indicated by numbers such
as 1.0, 2.0, 3.0.
• More recently, other notations have been used.
After 1995, for a while Microsoft labeled its
Windows and Office software versions by year
instead of by number, as in Microsoft's Office 97,
Office 2000, Office 2007, and Office 2010.
Release:
• Some releases are now also indicated by the year in which they are marketed.
And, unfortunately, some releases are not clearly indicated at all. (These are
"patches," which may be downloaded from the software maker's website.)
• Normally Release is more about the "action" to distribute the software to
interested candidates, while "version" is an identifier of certain change of the
software (mostly a meaningful change). Therefore, in most case, as we need
to identify certain release of the application, we will have a version assigned.
• When you edit the code, depending apon what you consider a change (saving,
publishing, or just editing), your code version changes (depending on how
large of a difference you consider a version- also note that versioning systems
can be whatever you decide). You might have a version of code where there is
a bug, then you patch it, and you have another version. What you call your
versions can be whatever you want (versioning system).
• A release is commonly considered a version that is pretty stable, complete,
tested and most likely having few known bugs and then made public, although
more technically its ANY version made public. However, when you see the
word release I feel it is safe to assume it is the first provided you cant figure it
out by context.
Public-Domain software:
• Public-domain software is not protected by
copyright and thus may be duplicated by
anyone at will.
Public domain programs (usually developed at taxpayer expense by government
agencies) have been donated to the public by their creators. They are often
available through sites on the Internet. You can duplicate public domain software
without fear of legal prosecution.
Shareware:
• Shareware is copyrighted software that is
distributed free of charge but requires users to
make a monetary contribution to continue using
it.
• Shareware is distributed primarily through the
Internet, but because it is copyrighted, you
cannot use it to develop your own program that
would compete with the original product.
Freeware:
Freeware is copyrighted software that is distributed free of charge, today most
often over the Internet.
Why would any software creator let his/her product go for free? Reasons are:
Sometimes developers want to see how users respond, so that they can make
improvements in a later version.
Sometimes it is to further some scholarly or humanitarian purpose – for instance,
to create a standard for software on which people are apt to agree. (Linux is such
a program.)
Freeware is made available by companies trying to make money some other way
that is, by attracting viewers to their advertising.
Freeware developers generally retain all rights to their programs. You are not
supposed to duplicate and distribute them further.
Rentalware:
• Rental-ware is software that users lease for a fee.
This is the concept behind application services providers, firms that lease
software over the Internet. Users download programs whenever they are needed.
Pirated software:
• Pirated software is software obtained illegally.
• For example, when you get a CD from a friend
you made an illicit copy of a commercial video
game. Sometimes pirated software can be
downloaded off the Internet. Sometimes it is
sold in retail outlets in foreign countries.
Custom Software:
• Sometimes the companies or individuals need
software written specifically for them, to meet
unique needs. This software is called custom
software, and it is created by software engineers
and programmers.
Application software based on
functionality
Application software
Based on Functionality
Entertainment Software Personal software
Games, etc. Cookbooks
Medical
Home decoration
Gardening
Home Repair
Education/ Reference Software
Tax preparation etc.
Encyclopedias
Phone Books
Almanacs
Library Searches etc.
Specialty Software
Presentation Graphics
Productivity Software Financial
Word Processing Desktop Publishing
Spreadsheets Drawing and Painting
Database Managers Project Management
Personal Information Computer Aided
Management Design
Web Browser Web page Design
Email etc. Video/Audio Editing
