Computer software

Computer software, or just software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system.
A screenshot of the OpenOffice.org Writer desktop software

The term includes:

* Application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users.
* Firmware which is software programmed resident to electrically programmable memory devices on board mainboards or other types of integrated hardware carriers.
* Middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.

Software includes websites, programs, video games etc. that are coded by programming languages like C, C++, etc.

* System software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software.
* Testware which is an umbrella term or container term for all utilities and application software that serve in combination for testing asoftware package but not necessarily may optionally contribute to operational purposes. As such, testware is not a standing configuration but merely a working environment for application software or subsets thereof.

"Software" is sometimes used in a broader context to mean anything which is not hardware but which is used with hardware, such as film, tapes and records.