I will try on this page to define with suitable words
the immense world that lies behind the word "software", as always it is not an easy task, but I will try this time too.

Of course it is impossible to condense such a vast subject into this small text, but if you intend go into detail or need professional advice (given my experience in the field that began in 1979) you can get in touch with me through the "Contacts" page.

Find here and at the bottom of the text the links to go to the "computer and hardware" page and to the page dealing with "computer networks".

The software is a set of binary codes that allow us to instruct the hardware on the operations to be performed.

We said on the "Informatics" page that computer systems are made up of two inseparable elements, hardware and software.
Afterwards we stated that the software or application (app), is instead the information or digital content that we must process or use (or that allows us to process through the hardware), and that produces files (a set of digital data 0 and 1 collected in one or more strings).
The files produced, modified or used can be stored on a hard disk or on a USB memory or other computer support.

The most popular software-app are operating systems, office automation suites and internet browsers.

There are countless other applications dedicated to the most diverse functions, such as file compression programs, PDF readers, word processors and more, but it would take too long to cover them all, so we will only cover the most important ones.

There are software that must be installed to work (files copied to the hard disk, in pre-established folders and accessory files in system folders) and others that can be used directly from the media that contains them without necessarily installing them.

When talking about software, we can only start from operating systems, they are those that allow us to use the PC or tablet, without them the hardware and other applications would be useless.

In practice, the operating system provides a software environment, which allows you to install and use other applications, configure the hardware and use the peripherals connected to the PC via drivers, the most popular operating systems that require a license are those of Microsoft and Apple (MAC).

The first one created by Microsoft and sold to IBM was MS-DOS in the distant 70s, which was directly derived from Gary Kildall CP/M, it provided a text environment without graphics and the commands had to be typed via the keyboard with exact syntax and followed by the Enter key. This limitation confined the use of the PC to a professional or expert environment.

Only later was the operating system with Windows graphical interface (windows) created, now at version 11 (also available for mobile applications), Windows thanks to its window graphics allows you to easily use applications.

However, a completely free operating system is available, very well made and with many applications that are also free, it is Linux derived from the Unix server operating system. The most used distribution and translated into Italian is Ubuntu Linux, you will find at the end of the text the link to download it from the manufacturer's website, I recommend you try it, because among other things it allows you to test it without installing anything, directly from the installation media (live cd - live pendrive).
In the smartphone and tablet (mobile) field, the most widespread operating system is Google's Android, which was derived from Linux and owes its success to the fact that it brings with it a myriad of paid and free applications, there is an application for every type of use, and through them you can transform the mobile device into an emergency lamp, a sound level meter, a seismograph or other (using the on-board sensors and the touch screen).

Office automation applications (or suites) instead allow you to process texts or spreadsheets, or compose and send emails if your PC or mobile device is connected to the Internet. There are various types, both paid and free. In the table at the end of this text you will find the link to download Open office or Libre Office, they are well-made and completely free suites, made available by the work of many volunteers who participate in the project every day, try them and you will not be disappointed. As for the mobile sector, you can download the suites and all the applications from the Android Play store

In conclusion, we can say that there is an application for every need and the PC (or Smartphone-tablet) comes to our aid for every need of daily life, a real change in the way of living and seeing life.