Software is a set of instructions given to a machine to perform specific tasks. It converts raw, complex data to useful information used for various purposes such as computing, analyzing and communicating. These instructions are written in various programming languages like Java, C, C++, COBOL, LISP and Visual Basic. The instructions are loaded in to the computer’s storage system (hard drive, memory or RAM) and then executed.

USA, India, Russia and Canada are the largest computer software developers in the world. The software industry has recently evolved as one of the most promising industries in the global arena. The five leading software development companies in the world are Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SAP and Computer Associates International. The global market for software product development is worth US$180 billion and the largest markets for software product development are USA, Canada, India, China, Germany and Austria.Based on application, software is broadly classified as: Communication software, Industrial Software.