Computer software

• Application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users,
• System software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software, and
• 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.

• Firmware which is software programmed resident to electrically programmable memory devices on board mainboards or other types of integrated hardware carriers
• 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" 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.