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Think about the last time you opened a document or joined a video call. You likely used both hardware and software without thinking about it. Today’s workplaces rely on confident, clear use of technology. This course will help you build digital skills, learn key terms, and practice using everyday tools.
Let’s start with the basics: hardware, software, and applications—and how they work together.
Computers rely on two main parts: hardware and software. These work together to help complete tasks like writing a document, sending an email, or watching a video.
Hardware includes the physical parts of a computer—anything you can touch. This includes external tools like a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, as well as internal components such as the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and storage drives like hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs).
EXAMPLE
Typing on a keyboard sends input to the CPU, which processes it and displays the result on the monitor.While hardware does the work, it is software that gives the instructions. Software is not something you can touch—it is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.
Common software includes:
Now, let’s learn about the two main types of software: system software and application software.
System software includes the operating system (OS) and other programs. The OS refers to the main software that runs a device and helps other programs work. The OS controls how a computer runs. It manages the memory, handles files, and makes sure everything works together smoothly.
Some common operating systems include Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Without system software, your device would not even start!
EXAMPLE
When you turn on your computer, the OS loads so you can use your apps and files.This type of software also includes drivers—small programs that help the computer talk to hardware like printers or speakers. If you have ever had to update something so your printer would work, that was likely a driver.
On the other hand, application software helps you do everyday tasks. These are the programs you open to get things done, like writing a paper, checking your email, or creating a budget.
Word processors, web browsers, and spreadsheet tools are all examples of application software. Some are grouped into bundles, or software suites, like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
The following diagram shows how users interact with application software, which runs on system software, all supported by the computer’s hardware. Each layer depends on the one below it.
EXAMPLE
An invite can be written in a word processor, sent by email using a web browser, and tracked in a spreadsheet. These are all application software—often grouped in a suite like Microsoft 365.While both types of software are important, you will interact with application software more often. These programs are user-friendly, using icons, buttons, and menus for easier interaction.
Application software comes in many forms depending on the setting—whether it is a single device or across an entire organization. In this section, you will learn how enterprise, desktop, and mobile apps help people and teams get work done in different ways.
| Type of Software | What It Does | Where It Is Used | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise software | Helps teams manage tasks, track work, and stay organized | Across an entire company | Salesforce, Workday |
| Desktop software | Helps individuals complete tasks on a personal computer and relies on the OS to run | Personal computers (desktops and laptops) | Microsoft Word, Excel |
| Mobile apps | Support communication, meetings, and schedules on the go; built for touchscreens and smaller screens | Smartphones and tablets | Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Google Chat |
EXAMPLE
Imagine starting a job as a customer support associate at a large company. Every day, you use a tool called Salesforce to track customer questions, update records, and follow up on issues. You do not switch between apps—you do all your work within that one system. This is enterprise software: a powerful tool designed for team workflows across an entire organization.Here is a bit more about mobile apps: You download mobile apps from an app store, and they run on a mobile OS like iOS or Android. They often have fewer features than desktop software but are easier to use on the go. Some can even work without the internet.
If you want to learn more about your specific mobile apps or settings, try exploring your device’s built-in help or app tips.
In the last section, you learned about different types of application software—from tools used by entire companies to programs on a single computer or mobile device. Now, let’s look at how many of those tools are built for today’s connected world.
Modern software is designed to work across locations and devices. Whether you are using a laptop at work, a tablet at home, or a phone on the go, most tools are built to adapt. This flexible design often includes three key trends: cloud-native software, mobile-first design, and cross-device sync features.
Cloud-native software is designed to run in web browsers and use internet-based services.
You usually open it through a web browser, like Chrome, without needing to install it on your device. When you use tools like Google Docs or Microsoft 365 online, you are using cloud-native software.
These tools often update on their own, so new features appear with fewer steps—but updates may still cause brief changes or delays. Many cloud-native tools let people work on the same file at the same time.
EXAMPLE
A team is building a presentation. One person adds images from a laptop, another changes text from a tablet, and a third checks the layout on a phone. With cloud-native software, everyone sees the updates right away—no waiting or sending files is involved.Mobile-first design means software is created for phones and tablets first, then adapted for larger screens like laptops. These apps are built for smaller displays and touchscreen use. They focus on simple, essential tasks like messaging, reviewing documents, or checking schedules.
Because mobile apps are made for people on the go, they often include offline access. That means you can open and work on files even if you are not connected to the internet.
Cross-device sync features keep your work updated across all your devices. If you write a note on your phone, that same note appears on your laptop without needing to send or save it manually.
This syncing helps you stay organized and saves time—especially when switching between devices at work, school, or home.
IN CONTEXT: Keeping Work in Sync Across Devices
Marcus works part-time in an office and studies part-time at a community college. While riding the bus to work, Marcus opens Google Docs on the phone and starts writing their daily report.
When Marcus arrives at the office, they log into the same Google account on their work computer. The document is already open with the changes they made during their commute—no saving or sending needed.
This is an example of cross-device sync. The document stays updated on both devices, so Marcus can move smoothly between their phone and computer without losing progress or creating multiple versions. This helps Marcus stay organized and save time during a busy day.
Source: THIS TUTORIAL HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM OPENSTAX’S “INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE.” ACCESS FOR FREE AT OPENSTAX.ORG/DETAILS/BOOKS/INTRODUCTION-COMPUTER-SCIENCE. LICENSE: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 4.0 INTERNATIONAL.
