Which Program Should I Use?

A software program can be very small with only one purpose, to a very large program with many sub-programs, or sub-routines. A sub-routine is a small program with one specific purpose. When a program executes, it follows its program line by line until it meets up with a new command to go to a different sub-routine, then it returns to the line it branched off from and then completes the initial instructions.

Software can be grouped by several broad purposes:

- Adware – free software supported by advertisers

- Freeware – free for personal use

- OEM – free for personal and business

- Public Domain – free but does not have a specific copyright license restrictions or owners

- Retail – any software that can be purchased

- Shareware – free for a short period of time then a purchase fee must be paid

- Spyware – software that sends information about the user back to the creator

Categories:- Audio/Video – records sounds and movies

- Browsers – surfing the internet

- Drivers – runs a peripheral device

- Graphics – clipart, draw and photos

- Publishing – create newsletters, flyers, and marketing materials

- Internet – web pages, web directories

- Network – connects computer peripherals together (hardware and software)

- Operating – connects the hardware and software

- Productivity/Business – office suites and business specific (membership, inventory, construction)

- Programming/Development – programming languages – C+, Java, Basic

- Server – coordinates the usage of different users, programs and peripherals

Each category has many different sub-categories:

- Operating – Windows, Linux

- Productivity/Business – Office Suites, Educational software

Each sub-category program has many others. An office suite has a word processor, spreadsheet, data base, presentation and graphics software.

Word Processing software includes sub-routines:

- Spelling and grammar checker

- Templates

- Formatting

- Inserting Graphics, text boxes, special characters and more

- Saving

Getting to know a software program and all of its sub-routines can be a daunting task. Think about each type, then category and finally the sub-routines.

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