Software is the set of programs, instructions and data that tell a computer what to do. Unlike hardware —the physical parts you can touch, such as the screen or the keyboard—, software cannot be touched: it is the commands written in code that make a device work. Every game, app or web page a child uses is software.
Types of Software
Software falls mainly into two broad categories. System software is the foundation that makes a device run: the operating system, such as Windows, Android or iOS, manages memory, files and the screen. Application software refers to the programs we use for specific tasks: a game, a drawing app, a browser or a video editor.
A relatable example for kids: when they open their favorite game on a tablet, the operating system (system software) lets the game (application software) run on top of the hardware. Today there are millions of applications available; the Google Play Store alone holds over 2 million apps.
Why It Matters for Kids
Understanding what software is helps children move from being simple users to becoming creators. When they realize that behind every app there are instructions someone wrote, they discover they can build them too. In Algonova coding courses kids learn to build their own programs step by step, starting with visual tools like Scratch.
Want your child to go from playing to creating? Try a free class and see how it starts.
