80 Chapter 4 Computer Software
A computer is a blend of physical components, or hardware, and sets of instructions,
or software. This chapter presents the essentials of the different types of software that
make multimedia development and delivery possible. After completing this chapter you
should understand:
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The three main categories of software
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The functions of operating systems
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The main types and uses of programming languages
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The different types of software used to develop multimedia products
4.1 Categories of Software
Software is the collection of computer programs that govern the operation of a com-
puter system. A program is a list of instructions that can be carried out by a computer.
Without software, a computer can do nothing. ...