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.
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 a software 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 includes websites, programs, video games etc. that are coded by programming languages like C, C++, etc.
"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
Types of software

A layer structure showing where Operating System is located on generally used software systems on desktops

Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes: system software, programming software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.
System software
System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes:
device drivers,
diagnostic tools,
operating systems,
servers,
utilities,
windowing systems,
The purpose of systems software is to insulate the applications programmer as much as possible from the details of the particular computer complex being used, especially memory and other hardware features, and such as accessory devices as communications, printers, readers, displays, keyboards, etc.
Programming software
Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include:
compilers,
debuggers,
interpreters,
linkers,
text editors,
An Integrated development environment (IDE) merges those tools into a software bundle, and a programmer may not need to type multiple commands for compiling, interpreting, debugging, tracing, etc., because the IDE usually has an advanced graphical user interface, or GUI.
Application software
Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (non-computer related) tasks. Typical applications include:
industrial automation,
business software,
computer games,
databases,
educational software,
medical software,
Businesses are probably the biggest users of application software, but almost every field of human activity now uses some form of application software.