Software & Licensing Grade 10
Software is the set of instructions that tells hardware what to do. Without software, a computer is just an expensive paperweight. Understanding the different types and how they are licensed is essential IT knowledge.
What is Software?
Software is a collection of programs and data that tells a computer how to perform tasks. You can't touch software — it only exists digitally. Hardware is the body; software is the brain telling the body what to do.
Software Licensing
When you "buy" software, you're not actually buying the software — you're buying a licence to use it. The developer keeps ownership. Software licences define what you are and aren't allowed to do with the software.
| Type | Cost | Can modify code? | Can share? | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary | Paid | No | No (only on licensed devices) | Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Windows |
| Freeware | Free | No (source code hidden) | Yes (as-is) | Skype, Google Chrome, Adobe Acrobat Reader |
| Shareware | Free for trial period, then pay | No | Limited (trial version) | WinZip, many antivirus programs |
| Free Open-Source (FOSS) | Free | Yes — source code public | Yes (under same licence) | Linux, LibreOffice, Firefox, GIMP |
EULA — End User Licence Agreement
The EULA is the legal agreement between you and the software developer. It's that long wall of text you click "I Agree" on when installing software.
It specifies: how many devices you can install on, what you're not allowed to do, and who owns the software.
| Licence Type | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| Single-user licence | One user on one device only |
| Multi-user licence | A specific number of users or devices (e.g. 10 PCs) |
| Site licence | Unlimited use within one organisation (e.g. a school) |
Software Piracy & Copyright
Copyright is the legal right that protects a creator's work. Software is automatically protected by copyright the moment it is created. You cannot copy, share or distribute software without the copyright holder's permission.
Piracy is the illegal copying or distribution of copyrighted software. It is a crime in South Africa and most countries.
Forms of software piracy:
- Softlifting: installing one licensed copy on multiple computers
- Counterfeiting: making and selling fake copies of licensed software
- Online piracy: downloading software illegally from the internet (torrents, crack sites)
- Hard disk loading: selling computers with pirated software pre-installed
- Client-server overuse: exceeding the number of users a network licence actually allows (e.g. a school's licence covers 20 lab computers but it's installed on 30)
Piracy is illegal, but it raises ethical questions that differ from ordinary theft — the original owner keeps their copy, so nothing is physically taken. Some argue piracy can even help creators by increasing exposure, or that it gives people access to software/entertainment they couldn't otherwise afford. These arguments don't make piracy legal, but they explain why it's a genuinely debated social issue, not simply "wrong."
Copyleft & Creative Commons
These are alternative licensing systems that allow sharing and collaboration while still giving creators some protection.
- Attribution (BY): You can use the work if you credit the creator
- Non-Commercial (NC): You can use it, but not for profit
- Share-Alike (SA / Copyleft): Any work you create from it must use the same licence
- No Derivatives (ND): You cannot modify the original work
System Software
System software manages and controls the hardware. The most important type is the Operating System (OS).
Operating System (OS)
The Operating System (OS) is system software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources, and provides a platform on which application software can run. It is the first software to load when a computer starts up, and every other program runs through it.
The OS is like the manager of a restaurant. The manager organises the kitchen (hardware), assigns tasks to staff (processes), keeps everything running smoothly, and makes sure customers (users) get what they need.
What the OS does:
- User interface — provides the desktop, windows and menus you interact with
- Hardware management — controls how programs access the CPU, RAM and storage
- File management — organises files and folders on storage devices
- Process management — runs multiple programs at once (multitasking)
- Security — manages user accounts and access permissions
| OS Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-alone (desktop) | Installed on a single personal computer. Used for everyday tasks. | Windows 10/11, macOS, Ubuntu |
| Network (server) | Manages a network of computers. Controls who accesses what. | Windows Server, Red Hat Linux |
| Embedded | Built into a device to control one specific task. Very small. | Smart TV OS, ATM software, fridge firmware |
| Mobile | Designed for touchscreen devices. Efficient with battery. | Android, iOS |
Utility Programs
Utility programs are small tools that help maintain the computer. They come with the OS or can be downloaded.
- Antivirus software (e.g. Avast, Windows Defender)
- Disk cleanup and defragmentation tools
- File compression tools (e.g. WinZip, 7-Zip)
- Backup software
Device Drivers
A device driver is a small program that allows the OS to communicate with a hardware device. Without the correct driver, hardware won't work properly.
Example: When you plug in a new printer, Windows downloads or installs the printer driver so it knows how to send data to that specific printer model.
Firmware
Firmware is specialised, permanent software stored on non-volatile memory (usually a ROM or flash chip) inside a hardware device, controlling its most basic functions. Unlike a normal application, you don't install firmware yourself — it comes built into the device and is only changed through a controlled firmware update.
Examples: the BIOS/UEFI firmware that starts up a computer before the OS loads, the firmware inside a Wi-Fi router, or the firmware that runs a printer or smart TV.
Application Software
Application software lets you perform specific tasks — it uses the OS as its foundation.
| Category | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Productivity | Create documents, spreadsheets, presentations | Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, Google Docs |
| Communication | Send messages, emails, make calls | WhatsApp, Outlook, Zoom, Teams |
| Education | e-learning, tutorials, reference | Khan Academy, Siyavula, Duolingo |
| Entertainment | Play games, watch media, listen to music | Netflix, Spotify, Steam |
| Creativity | Edit photos, videos, audio | Photoshop, Audacity, Canva |
| Web browsers | Access websites and web applications | Chrome, Firefox, Edge |