Software - German

Types of Software

In German, different types of software are each described with their own terms. For example, die Antiviren-Software protects computers from viruses, and die App generally refers to smaller programs, especially for mobile devices. The underlying platform a computer runs on is called das Betriebssystem. Business and advanced users often use die Enterprise-Software and die E-Mail-Software, while die Desktop-Software is installed directly onto a computer. For internet-based services, you might use die Cloud-Computing, die Webanwendung, die Website, or die Webseite. Security programs include die Firewall and die WLAN-Software. To organize and manage content, there is das Content-Management-System and to store data, a company might use die Datenbank.

Examples:

• Ich benutze eine App auf meinem Handy.
• Die Antiviren-Software läuft im Hintergrund.
• Das Betriebssystem bekommt ein Update.
• Die Website ist gut gestaltet.
• Unsere Firma verwendet Cloud-Computing.

Software Components

German software terms also cover the important components that make up a program. For logic and calculations, you use der Algorithmus. Programs are written in die Programmiersprache, often organized in die Klasse or das Softwaremodul. The communication between software parts happens through die Schnittstelle (or die API). Data is stored in specific forms like die Datenstruktur and described by das Datenmodell. Scripts can be called das Skript, and updates or das Update improve performance or security. The physical part of a computer is die Hardware, but software runs on top. Developers create and maintain programs with die Codierung, use a Framework for structure, and connect to der Dienst for online functions.

Examples:

• Die API ermöglicht den Datenaustausch zwischen Programmen.
• Der Algorithmus verarbeitet die Daten.
• Dieses Skript optimiert die Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit.
• Das Update enthält neue Funktionen.
• Das Softwaremodul kommuniziert mit der Datenbank.

Uses of Software

Many verbs describe how people interact with software. You can installieren (install) programs, ausführen (run) them, or bearbeiten (edit) documents. For working with online content, you might want to hochladen (upload), herunterladen (download), or teilen (share). Security is maintained by der Virenscan. Administrators often analysieren (analyze) and archivieren (archive) data, or anpassen (customize) settings. Software often provides a Vorschau (preview), helps optimieren (optimize) processes, and allows you to zusammenfassen (summarize) or verarbeiten (process) large datasets quickly (die Verarbeitungsgeschwindigkeit). Communication features include das Einloggen (logging in) and weiterleiten (forward), as well as proposing new options with vorschlagen.

Examples:

• Ich muss das Update installieren.
• Die Software kann große Datenmengen analysieren.
• Nach dem Einloggen kann man Dateien hochladen oder teilen.
• Das Interface ist benutzerfreundlich.
• Die Visualisierung vereinfacht die Datenanalyse.

In the German tech sector, international influences are strong, so you often see English terms used in everyday conversation as well, especially for new technologies and concepts.