Welcome WOOT members : grassrootscomputers.com. Links. Why have a separate section for “word processing software”? Why not just put it all under “writing software”? Word processing software is writing software by definition, of couse, and much of the software in the “writing software” section above might equally be categorised as word processors. The main difference drawn here is that a word processor is usually used for writing and printing the final document; it shows on screen exactly what you will see when you print. The applications in the “writing software” section are more about developing ideas and getting the words down. Some users may use one of those applications right up to and including printing; many will use one of the dedicated writing applications in conjunction with a word processor, hammering out the first draft in one of the programs above and then exporting it to a word processor for final revisions and formatting.