Chapter 3. Software Installation and Functions
Software is the set of instructions that a computer follows to make it useful. Without software, personal computers (PCs) aren’t able to do anything useful except take up space. In this context, there are two types of software:
• Operating system. An operating system (such as Windows 7 or Linux) provides access to hardware devices and operates as a platform to run applications. It includes the interface to run applications and use devices such as the keyboard and mouse, display information on the monitor, play sounds through speakers, access the Internet, and more.
• Applications. Applications, or programs, give users the ability to perform tasks through the operating system. For example, you may ...
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