Which of the following are considered the two major types of software?

Which of the following are considered the two major types of software?

• A. Word processing and database software
• B. System software and application software
• C. Utilities and drivers
• D. Firmware and middleware

Answer: (B)

Think of software in two broad camps: system software and application software. System software includes the programs that keep the computer running and coordinate hardware—things like the operating system, device drivers, and utility programs that manage resources. Application software is what you use to do tasks, such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, a web browser, or a media player. This split captures the fundamental idea of software organization: one side provides the platform and controls the machine, the other side helps you accomplish real tasks. The other groupings mix items that belong to the same side of the split (for example, word processing and database software are both applications, not two separate major types), or focus on specialized categories that don’t define the main division (like firmware or middleware) and therefore don’t describe the two broad categories.

Think of software in two broad camps: system software and application software. System software includes the programs that keep the computer running and coordinate hardware—things like the operating system, device drivers, and utility programs that manage resources. Application software is what you use to do tasks, such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, a web browser, or a media player. This split captures the fundamental idea of software organization: one side provides the platform and controls the machine, the other side helps you accomplish real tasks. The other groupings mix items that belong to the same side of the split (for example, word processing and database software are both applications, not two separate major types), or focus on specialized categories that don’t define the main division (like firmware or middleware) and therefore don’t describe the two broad categories.