Software categories
Software categories are groups of software. They allow software to be understood in terms of those categories, instead of the particularities of each package. Different classification schemes consider different aspects of software.
Categorization approaches
- web browsers, etc.) or have a specific purpose (accounting, truck scheduling, etc.). Application software contrasts with system software.
- System software is a generic term referring to the computer programs used to start and run computer systems including diverse application software and networks.
- compilers and linkers, are used to translate and combine computer program source code and libraries into executables, which are programs that fall into one of the three aforementioned categories.
Copyright status
The
Free software
Free software is software that comes with permission for anyone to use,
Free software in the sense of copyright license (and the GNU project) is a matter of freedom, not price. However proprietary software companies typically use the term "free software" to refer to price. Sometimes this means a binary copy can be obtained at no charge; sometimes this means a copy is bundled with a computer for sale at no additional charge.[1]
Open source software
Open-source software is software with its
Copylefted software
Copylefted software is free software whose distribution terms ensure that all copies of all versions carry more or less the same distribution terms. This means, for instance, that
Copyleft is a general concept. Copylefting an actual program requires a specific set of distribution terms. Different copyleft licenses are usually "incompatible" due to varying terms, which makes it illegal to merge the code using one license with the code using the other license. If two pieces of software use the same license, they are generally mergeable.[1]
Non-copylefted free software
Noncopylefted free software comes from the author with permission to redistribute modify and add license restrictions.
If a program is free but not copylefted, then some copies or modified versions may not be free. A software company can
Shareware
Shareware is software that comes with permission to redistribute copies but says that anyone who continues to use a copy is required to pay. Shareware is not free software or even semi-free. For most shareware, source code is not available; thus, the program cannot be modified. Shareware does not come with permission to make a copy and install it without paying a license fee, including for
Freeware
Like shareware, freeware is software available for download and distribution without any initial payment. Freeware never has an associated fee. Things like minor program updates and small
Microsoft TechNet and AIS Software categories
This classification has seven major elements. They are:
- Platform and management—security.[4]
- Education and reference—Educational software that does not contain resources, such as application.[4]
- Home and entertainment—Applications designed primarily for use in or for the home, or for entertainment.[4]
- Content and communications—Common applications for
- Operations and professional—Applications designed for business uses such as supply chain and manufacturing tasks, application development, information management and access, and tasks performed by both business and technical equipment.[4]
- Product manufacturing and service delivery—Help users create products or deliver services in specific industries. Categories in this section are used by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
Market-based categories
- Food Services
- Administrative and Support
- Animal shelter and Animal rescue
- Agriculture, Forestry and Hunting
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
- Construction
- Educational Services
- Finance and Insurance
- Geospatial
- Social Assistance
- Information
- Internal and proprietary line-of-business applications[4]
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Manufacturing
- Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
- Postal and Mailing
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Public Administration
- Leasing
- Retail Trade
- Utilities
- Waste Management and Remediation Services
- Wholesale Trade
- Warehousing
- Other Services (except Public Administration)[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Categories of Free and Nonfree Software". GNU Project. 2012-10-18. Archived from the original on 2016-07-10. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
- ^ "Heidelberg - Glossary - O". Directimaging.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
- ^ "Freeware Definition". Techterms.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Software Categories". Microsoft TechNet. Archived from the original on 2008-09-21. Retrieved 2012-11-12.