Software is a set of routines and programs that allow a computer to perform tasks. Software documentation describes how to use software applications and can be in the form of printed manuals, online resources, or help screens within the application. It typically includes an installation guide, a quick start guide, a feature overview, and information on technical support and updates. The quality of software documentation varies widely.
Software refers to routines and programs developed for a computer system that allow it to be used to perform tasks or otherwise interact with the computer. The software may be provided by the manufacturer as a system component or created as separate applications by the manufacturer or a third party. Documentation is a description of a product and how to use it. Software documentation describes software applications and how to use them.
Printed software documentation, sometimes referred to as software manuals, is often set up as a book, with a title page, table of contents, body, and index, and often have some typical components. The first component most users need is an installation guide, and separate guides are provided for the various operating systems the software runs on, as needed. The installation guide lists the specifications needed to run the software, including computer operating systems, RAM, hard drive space, an Internet connection, and any other requirements or add-ons, such as peripherals. This is followed by step-by-step installation instructions, for example from a CD-ROM, DVD or download. Typically any unusual features of the installer and explanation of custom installation choices, such as alternate locations or simplified installations, are explained.
A “quick start” guide is often the next part of the printed software documentation used. Picking up where the setup guide left off, the Quick Start guide helps you get started with the software and its basic operations. This section can be organized in various ways, depending on the specific software. A popular method for task-oriented applications is a project-based introduction where the user learns the basic functionality of the software while completing a few mini-lessons.
Other items you would expect to find in printed software documentation include a comprehensive feature overview, with emphasis on features new in the latest release; a list of updates over previous versions, possibly including bug fixes; information on how to obtain technical support; explanations of error messages; and information for advanced or “power” users. Games and other software applications may include tips or tricks in their documentation.
Printed software documentation isn’t the only one. First, paper documentation can also be available online or in pdf format. Additional documentation may also be available in the form of tool tips and help screens within the application itself, FAQs – lists of frequently asked questions with answers, searchable articles, web training, videos, and other formats.
Software documentation varies widely in quality, and this is especially true of software manuals. The good ones can be excellent, while the ones that aren’t well executed can leave users with a lot of questions. There are also users who won’t bother looking up the documentation before asking questions on the software manufacturer’s forums.
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