hi i was just wondering.. is window a operating system or a software? what is the definition of a software, and would Linux, Mac OS, and Windows ( ME, VISTA, XP....) be operating systems?
2007-02-06 14:43:40 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Windows is an operating system AND it is software.
Software is, basically, data that tells a computer what to do.
All operating systems are software, but not all software is operating systems.
Yes, linux, mac OS (which is actually Unix), and Windows are all operating systems. Wikipedia has a good explanation of what operating systems are, if you look it up.
2007-02-06 14:54:01 · answer #1 · answered by extton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Microsoft Windows is a family of operating systems just as Linux, Mac OSX, and a number of other products. I've provided two wikipedia links if you want to read (depending on your level of interest, they may go into a greater depth than what you like but the basics are there too).
"An operating system (OS) is a computer program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer."
"Software, or program, enables a computer to perform specific tasks, as opposed to the physical components of the system (hardware)."
2007-02-06 14:51:42 · answer #2 · answered by Jim Maryland 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term software is a made up word that was used in the early days of computing to distinguish programs from hardware. Since you usually could not actually see the programmed data macroscopically; programs were considered quite an abstraction.
From there, software that had been burned onto a ROM chip became firmware, and software that was marketed on a free-trial basis became shareware. Free software is called freeware, poorly written software that runs slowly is called bloatware, viruses are scumware etc.
Remember; the products that a vendor sells you are his "wares".
Operating systems are software.
Yes; every piece of software you mentioned is an operating system.
Older programmers will distinguish between "system" software and "application" software.
2007-02-06 15:29:00 · answer #3 · answered by J C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Windows is an operating system, as is linux and mac OSX. Software is generally a program designed for a specifi purpose, i.e. photshop. Though technically operating systems are a form of software as well.
2007-02-06 14:48:00 · answer #4 · answered by ToSunnyMexico 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hardware: tangible -- computer, printer, scanner, flashdrive, etc.
Software: invisible, computer commands. Windows, Linux, etc = software - operating programs that run applications.
Application: Word, Excel, Powerpoint - software - application programs that are run by the operating system.
Hardware - like a car
Operating system - the engine
Applications - radio, CD player
2007-02-06 15:55:22 · answer #5 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well windows is a software as well as an operating system. An Operating system is a software that manages the resources of your computer. Windows is what is called as a "System Software". It manages and controls the hardware of your computer.
2007-02-06 14:57:58 · answer #6 · answered by Rainmaker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Software is any computer programming that is not hardware programming. An Operating System is a huge collection of programming that makes a computer function so that a particular task can be achieved. All of those names you listed are operating systems.
2007-02-06 14:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes windows is operating system and all other programs work under it are programs
2007-02-06 14:49:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is basically a "system software":system software is anything which allows our computer to run and software is a set of instructions or programs which allow our computer to work accordingly. software is of many types and system software (e.g.,operating system) is one of its types!
2015-06-27 14:34:25 · answer #9 · answered by SHAHID 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋