Abstract: A software vending system comprising a host system including primary memory means for storing a plurality of different software programs, and a plurality of peripheral vending instruments each operatively connected to the host system for interactive data communication therebetween. Each of the peripheral vending instruments includes a selector device for selecting a desired one of the software programs, and a recording device operable to duplicate in a recording medium the selected software program transferred from the primary memory means in response to the operation of the selector device.