Texas A&M University (TAMU) ISTM210 Fundamentals of Information Systems Practice Exam 1

In an information system, software refers to the programs and applications that process data and enable users to accomplish specific tasks. The correct choice is a spreadsheet application, as it is a type of software used for organizing, analyzing, and manipulating data in tabular form. Spreadsheet applications, like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, provide functionalities such as formulas, calculations, and data visualization tools, aiding users in decision-making processes.

On the other hand, a server is considered hardware, as it is a physical component that provides services to other computers or devices within the network. A network cable also falls under hardware, as it is the physical medium used to connect devices within a network. A database, while sometimes perceived as software due to its role in data management, is fundamentally a structured collection of data that can be managed by specialized database software, but it doesn't represent the software component itself. Therefore, the spreadsheet application is the most accurate example of software in an information system.