Software is a set of instructions executed by the computer’s processor. Software brings the hardware “alive”. Without the right software, hardware components like monitors, keyboard, laptop, mouse, iPad, etc. are dead weight.
Games like Minecraft, apps like GPS, Calendar, programs like Word, Excel, MS Paint, web browsers like Chrome and Firefox used to access the internet, the software embedded in your home security system or the microwave are all software.
Applications and games that you use daily is software!
We learned that Document editors, spreadsheets, presentation apps, email apps, photo editors, audio editors, movie makers, the browser you’re using right now to read this, are all software. But it also includes another type: The set of instructions that run in the background like the operating system that enables the smooth running of the computer.
Operating Systems that help a computer to run, like Windows, Android, iOS and Linux are also a type of software.
Windows 
Linux 
Android iOS
How to choose software?
You will find multiple applications that address the same purpose. Your choice to go with a certain software should be based mainly on feature requirements, your budget, your operating system and security requirements.
By budget: Proprietary software usually allow for more control but come with a cost to purchase a license. Open source and Freeware are usually free to use but come with a certain amount of security risk. Businesses with a good budget, several users and a high security requirement may choose to buy proprietary software such as the Microsoft Office suite. So, to create a presentation, they can use PowerPoint. As a student with low budget, working on school projects, you can go with open source applications like Google Slides or a limited feature, free online editor like Prezi.
By features: For document editing, if all you need is quick, basic text, perhaps quick notes for personal use, you could use Notepad. If you are working on an official document or a doc that need to include formatting, images, etc., you will need a more robust tool. What’s your budget? if limited, you can go with Open Source suite like OfficeLibre which has a full suite of office applications for free or opt for Google docs which is quickly available online. But if you work on documents as professional, you may invest in a proprietary tool like MS Word.
By Operating System: You will want to look at applications that are compatible to run on your OS. Windows is the more popular OS out there but so are others like MacOS and Ubuntu. When downloading or installing software, make sure to check the compatibility.
Both, Notepad and MS Word, are document editors. One comes free but basic features. The other costs $ but has many features.
