<PAGE>   1
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2000
                                                      Registration No. 333-_____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              --------------------

                                    FORM S-8

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              --------------------

                                HNC SOFTWARE INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

         DELAWARE                                               33-0248788
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                              Identification No.)

                           5935 CORNERSTONE COURT WEST
                        SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121-3728
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 (1) STOCK OPTIONS ISSUED UNDER THE SYSTEMS/LINK CORPORATION 1999 STOCK OPTION
    PLAN AND ASSUMED BY THE REGISTRANT IN CONNECTION WITH ITS ACQUISITION OF
                            SYSTEMS/LINK CORPORATION

                  (2) HNC SOFTWARE INC. 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full Title of the Plan)

                               KENNETH J. SAUNDERS
                             CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                HNC SOFTWARE INC.
                           5935 CORNERSTONE COURT WEST
                        SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121-3728
                                 (858) 546-8877
            (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)

                                   Copies to:
                            KENNETH A. LINHARES, ESQ.
                         KATHERINE TALLMAN SCHUDA, ESQ.
                               FENWICK & WEST LLP
                              TWO PALO ALTO SQUARE
                           PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
==================================================================================================================
                                                             PROPOSED MAXIMUM   PROPOSED MAXIMUM      AMOUNT OF
      TITLE OF SECURITIES                      AMOUNT TO BE   OFFERING PRICE   AGGREGATE OFFERING   REGISTRATION
       TO BE REGISTERED                         REGISTERED       PER SHARE           PRICE              FEE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>               <C>                  <C>
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share          40,090(1)    $33.85(2)     $ 1,357,047(2)       $   358.26(3)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share       1,750,000(4)    $52.69(5)     $92,207,500(5)       $24,342.78(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS                                         1,790,090                     $93,564,547          $24,701.04
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  Represents shares subject to options assumed from Systems/Link Corporation.

(2)  Weighted average per share exercise price for such outstanding options
     calculated, pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (the "SECURITIES ACT").

<PAGE>   2

(3)  Fee calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act.

(4)  Represents shares available for grant under Registrant's 1998 Stock Option
     Plan.

(5)  Calculated based on the average of the high and low prices reported on the
     Nasdaq National Market as of August 31, 2000 pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely
     for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

<PAGE>   3

           PART II: INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

        The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "COMMISSION") are incorporated herein by reference:

        (a)  The Registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section
             13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
             (the "EXCHANGE ACT") or the latest prospectus filed pursuant to
             Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that contains audited
             financial statements for the Registrant's latest fiscal year for
             which such statements have been filed.

        (b)  All other reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
             Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual
             report or prospectus referred to in (a) above.

        (c)  The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
             Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
             Commission under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any
             amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
             description.

        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

        Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

        Members of the firm of Fenwick & West LLP own an aggregate of 3,314
shares of Common Stock of the Registrant.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        As permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that eliminates
the personal liability of its directors to the Registrant or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability: (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, the Bylaws of the Registrant provide that: (i) the Registrant
is required to indemnify its directors and officers, as well as directors and
officers of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise when they are serving in such capacities at the
request of the Registrant, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law; (ii) the Registrant may, in its discretion, indemnify
other officers, employees and agents as set forth in the Delaware General
Corporation Law; (iii) upon receipt of an undertaking to repay such advances if
indemnification is determined to be



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

unavailable, the Registrant is required to advance expenses, as incurred, to its
directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law in connection with a proceeding (except that the Registrant is
not required to advance expenses to a person against whom it brings a claim for
breach of the duty of loyalty, failure to act in good faith, intentional
misconduct, knowing violation of law or deriving an improper personal benefit);
(iv) the rights conferred in the Bylaws are not exclusive and the Registrant is
authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with its directors, officers
and employees and agents; and (v) the Registrant may not retroactively amend the
Bylaw provisions in a way that adversely affects the indemnification provided
thereunder.

        The Registrant's policy is to enter into indemnity agreements with each
of its directors and officers. The indemnity agreements provide that directors
and officers will be indemnified and held harmless against all expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties
and settlement amounts paid or reasonably incurred by them in any action, suit
or proceeding, including any derivative action by or in the right of the
Registrant, on account of their services as a director or officer of the
Registrant or as directors or officers of any other corporation, partnership or
enterprise when they are serving in such capacities at the request of the
Registrant; except that no indemnity is provided in a derivative action in which
such director or officer is finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the
Registrant due to willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to
the Registrant, unless the court determines that such director or officer is
entitled to indemnification. The Registrant will not be obligated pursuant to
the agreements to indemnify or advance expenses to an indemnified party with
respect to proceedings or claims (i) initiated voluntarily by the indemnified
party and not by way of defense, except with respect to a proceeding authorized
by the Board of Directors and successful proceedings brought to enforce a right
to indemnification and/or advancement of expenses under the indemnity
agreements; (ii) for any amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding unless the
Registrant consents to such settlement; (iii) on account of any suit in which
judgment is rendered against the indemnified party for an accounting of profits
made from the purchase or sale by the indemnified party of securities of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and
related laws and regulations; (iv) on account of conduct by an indemnified party
that is finally adjudged to have been in bad faith or conduct that the
indemnified party did not reasonably believe to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of the Registrant; (v) on account of any criminal action or
proceeding arising out of conduct that the indemnified party had reasonable
cause to believe was unlawful; or (vi) if a final decision by a court having
jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such indemnification is not
lawful.

        The indemnity agreement requires a director or officer to reimburse the
Registrant for expenses advanced only if and to the extent it is ultimately
determined that the director or executive officer is not entitled, under
Delaware law, the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, the Registrant's
Bylaws, his or her indemnity agreement or otherwise to be indemnified for such
expenses. The indemnity agreement provides that it is not exclusive of any
rights a director or executive officer may have under the Certificate of
Incorporation, the Bylaws, other agreements, any majority-in-interest vote of
the stockholders or vote of disinterested directors, Delaware law, or otherwise.

        The indemnification provision in the Bylaws, and the indemnity
agreements entered into between the Registrant and its directors and officers,
may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Registrant's
directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

        The indemnity agreements require the Registrant to maintain director and
officer liability insurance to the extent readily available. The Registrant
currently carries a director and officer insurance policy.



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

        Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<S>            <C>
        4.01   Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the
               Secretary of State of Delaware on June 13, 1996 (1).

        4.02   Certificate of Amendment to Registrant's Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on
               June 12, 2000 (2).

        4.03   Registrant's Bylaws, as amended (3).

        4.04*  Systems/Link Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan and related forms
               of agreements.

        4.05*  Form of Registrant's 1998 Stock Option Plan and related form of
               agreement.

        4.06   Form of specimen certificate for Registrant's Common Stock (4).

        5.01*  Opinion of Fenwick & West LLP.

        23.01* Consent of Fenwick & West LLP (included in Exhibit 5.01).

        23.02* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, San Diego, CA Independent
               Accountants.

        23.03* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Minneapolis, MN,
               Independent Accountants.

        24.01* Power of Attorney (see page 7).
</TABLE>

---------------------------

        *      Filed herewith.

        (1)    Filed as Exhibit 3(i).04 with the Registrant's Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.

        (2)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.08 to the Registrant's
               Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-40344) filed on
               June 28, 2000.

        (3)    Filed as Exhibit 3(i).01 with the Registrant's Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998, as amended.

        (4)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's
               Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91932) filed on
               May 5, 1995, and as subsequently amended.

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

               (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;

               (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or



                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
from the low and high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

               (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or
any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

        (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

        (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 hereof, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered hereby, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on September 8,
2000.

                                     HNC SOFTWARE INC.

                                     By:  /s/ KENNETH J. SAUNDERS
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Kenneth J. Saunders
                                          Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature
appears below and on the next page constitutes and appoints John Mutch, Kenneth
J. Saunders and Russell C. Clark, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form
S-8, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or it
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE                           TITLE                                     DATE
---------                           -----                                     ----
<S>                                 <C>                                       <C>

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER:

/s/ JOHN MUTCH                      President, Chief Executive Officer        September 8, 2000
-----------------------------       and a Director
John Mutch

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER:

/s/ KENNETH J. SAUNDERS             Chief Financial Officer and Secretary     September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Kenneth J. Saunders

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER:

/s/ RUSSELL C. CLARK                Vice President, Corporate Finance and     September 8, 2000
-----------------------------       Assistant Secretary
Russell C. Clark

ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS:

/s/ EDWARD K. CHANDLER              Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Edward K. Chandler

/s/ DAVID CHEN                      Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
David Chen
</TABLE>



                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE                           TITLE                                     DATE
---------                           -----                                     ----
<S>                                 <C>                                       <C>

ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS:

/s/ THOMAS F. FARB                  Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Thomas F. Farb

/s/ CHARLES H. GAYLORD, JR.         Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Charles H. Gaylord, Jr.

/s/ ALEX W. HART                    Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Alex W. Hart
</TABLE>



                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 EXHIBIT TITLE
-------                                -------------
<S>            <C>

4.01           Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the
               Secretary of State of Delaware on June 13, 1996 (1).

4.02           Certificate of Amendment to Registrant's Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on
               June 12, 2000 (2).

4.03           Registrant's Bylaws, as amended (3).

4.04*          Systems/Link Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan and related forms
               of agreements.

4.05*          Form of Registrant's 1998 Stock Option Plan and related form of
               agreement.

4.06           Form of specimen certificate for Registrant's Common Stock (4).

5.01*          Opinion of Fenwick & West LLP.

23.01*         Consent of Fenwick & West LLP (included in Exhibit 5.01).

23.02*         Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, San Diego, CA Independent
               Accountants.

23.03*         Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Minneapolis, MN,
               Independent Accountants.

24.01*         Power of Attorney (see page 7).
</TABLE>

---------------------------

*       Filed herewith.

(1)     Filed as Exhibit 3(i).04 with the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for
        the quarter ended June 30, 1996.

(2)     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.08 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-40344) filed on June
        28, 2000.

(3)     Filed as Exhibit 3(i).01 with the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for
        the quarter ended June 30, 1998, as amended.

(4)     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91932) filed on May 5,
        1995, and as subsequently amended.
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a65439s-8.txt", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 24341}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HNC SOFTWARE INC/DE", "cik": "0000945093", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "330248788", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-45442", "film-number": "719482"}, "business-address": {"street1": "5935 CORNERSTONE CT W", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92121-3728", "phone": "8585468877"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "5935 CORNERSTONE CT WEST", "city": "SAN DIEGO", "state": "CA", "zip": "92121-3728"}}
1
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2000
                                                      Registration No. 333-_____
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              --------------------

                                    FORM S-8

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              --------------------

                                HNC SOFTWARE INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

         DELAWARE                                               33-0248788
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                              Identification No.)

                           5935 CORNERSTONE COURT WEST
                        SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121-3728
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 (1) STOCK OPTIONS ISSUED UNDER THE SYSTEMS/LINK CORPORATION 1999 STOCK OPTION
    PLAN AND ASSUMED BY THE REGISTRANT IN CONNECTION WITH ITS ACQUISITION OF
                            SYSTEMS/LINK CORPORATION

                  (2) HNC SOFTWARE INC. 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full Title of the Plan)

                               KENNETH J. SAUNDERS
                             CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                HNC SOFTWARE INC.
                           5935 CORNERSTONE COURT WEST
                        SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92121-3728
                                 (858) 546-8877
            (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)

                                   Copies to:
                            KENNETH A. LINHARES, ESQ.
                         KATHERINE TALLMAN SCHUDA, ESQ.
                               FENWICK & WEST LLP
                              TWO PALO ALTO SQUARE
                           PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
==================================================================================================================
                                                             PROPOSED MAXIMUM   PROPOSED MAXIMUM      AMOUNT OF
      TITLE OF SECURITIES                      AMOUNT TO BE   OFFERING PRICE   AGGREGATE OFFERING   REGISTRATION
       TO BE REGISTERED                         REGISTERED       PER SHARE           PRICE              FEE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share          40,090(1)    $33.85(2)     $ 1,357,047(2)       $   358.26(3)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share       1,750,000(4)    $52.69(5)     $92,207,500(5)       $24,342.78(3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS                                         1,790,090                     $93,564,547          $24,701.04
==================================================================================================================
(1)  Represents shares subject to options assumed from Systems/Link Corporation.

(2)  Weighted average per share exercise price for such outstanding options
     calculated, pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (the "SECURITIES ACT").
2

(3)  Fee calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act.

(4)  Represents shares available for grant under Registrant's 1998 Stock Option
     Plan.

(5)  Calculated based on the average of the high and low prices reported on the
     Nasdaq National Market as of August 31, 2000 pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely
     for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
3

           PART II: INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

        The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "COMMISSION") are incorporated herein by reference:

        (a)  The Registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section
             13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
             (the "EXCHANGE ACT") or the latest prospectus filed pursuant to
             Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that contains audited
             financial statements for the Registrant's latest fiscal year for
             which such statements have been filed.

        (b)  All other reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
             Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual
             report or prospectus referred to in (a) above.

        (c)  The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
             Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
             Commission under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any
             amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
             description.

        All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

        Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

        Members of the firm of Fenwick & West LLP own an aggregate of 3,314
shares of Common Stock of the Registrant.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

        As permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that eliminates
the personal liability of its directors to the Registrant or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability: (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under
Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, the Bylaws of the Registrant provide that: (i) the Registrant
is required to indemnify its directors and officers, as well as directors and
officers of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise when they are serving in such capacities at the
request of the Registrant, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law; (ii) the Registrant may, in its discretion, indemnify
other officers, employees and agents as set forth in the Delaware General
Corporation Law; (iii) upon receipt of an undertaking to repay such advances if
indemnification is determined to be

                                      -3-
4

unavailable, the Registrant is required to advance expenses, as incurred, to its
directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law in connection with a proceeding (except that the Registrant is
not required to advance expenses to a person against whom it brings a claim for
breach of the duty of loyalty, failure to act in good faith, intentional
misconduct, knowing violation of law or deriving an improper personal benefit);
(iv) the rights conferred in the Bylaws are not exclusive and the Registrant is
authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with its directors, officers
and employees and agents; and (v) the Registrant may not retroactively amend the
Bylaw provisions in a way that adversely affects the indemnification provided
thereunder.

        The Registrant's policy is to enter into indemnity agreements with each
of its directors and officers. The indemnity agreements provide that directors
and officers will be indemnified and held harmless against all expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties
and settlement amounts paid or reasonably incurred by them in any action, suit
or proceeding, including any derivative action by or in the right of the
Registrant, on account of their services as a director or officer of the
Registrant or as directors or officers of any other corporation, partnership or
enterprise when they are serving in such capacities at the request of the
Registrant; except that no indemnity is provided in a derivative action in which
such director or officer is finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the
Registrant due to willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to
the Registrant, unless the court determines that such director or officer is
entitled to indemnification. The Registrant will not be obligated pursuant to
the agreements to indemnify or advance expenses to an indemnified party with
respect to proceedings or claims (i) initiated voluntarily by the indemnified
party and not by way of defense, except with respect to a proceeding authorized
by the Board of Directors and successful proceedings brought to enforce a right
to indemnification and/or advancement of expenses under the indemnity
agreements; (ii) for any amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding unless the
Registrant consents to such settlement; (iii) on account of any suit in which
judgment is rendered against the indemnified party for an accounting of profits
made from the purchase or sale by the indemnified party of securities of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and
related laws and regulations; (iv) on account of conduct by an indemnified party
that is finally adjudged to have been in bad faith or conduct that the
indemnified party did not reasonably believe to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of the Registrant; (v) on account of any criminal action or
proceeding arising out of conduct that the indemnified party had reasonable
cause to believe was unlawful; or (vi) if a final decision by a court having
jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such indemnification is not
lawful.

        The indemnity agreement requires a director or officer to reimburse the
Registrant for expenses advanced only if and to the extent it is ultimately
determined that the director or executive officer is not entitled, under
Delaware law, the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, the Registrant's
Bylaws, his or her indemnity agreement or otherwise to be indemnified for such
expenses. The indemnity agreement provides that it is not exclusive of any
rights a director or executive officer may have under the Certificate of
Incorporation, the Bylaws, other agreements, any majority-in-interest vote of
the stockholders or vote of disinterested directors, Delaware law, or otherwise.

        The indemnification provision in the Bylaws, and the indemnity
agreements entered into between the Registrant and its directors and officers,
may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Registrant's
directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

        The indemnity agreements require the Registrant to maintain director and
officer liability insurance to the extent readily available. The Registrant
currently carries a director and officer insurance policy.

                                      -4-
5

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

        Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.
4.01   Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the
               Secretary of State of Delaware on June 13, 1996 (1).

        4.02   Certificate of Amendment to Registrant's Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on
               June 12, 2000 (2).

        4.03   Registrant's Bylaws, as amended (3).

        4.04*  Systems/Link Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan and related forms
               of agreements.

        4.05*  Form of Registrant's 1998 Stock Option Plan and related form of
               agreement.

        4.06   Form of specimen certificate for Registrant's Common Stock (4).

        5.01*  Opinion of Fenwick & West LLP.

        23.01* Consent of Fenwick & West LLP (included in Exhibit 5.01).

        23.02* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, San Diego, CA Independent
               Accountants.

        23.03* Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Minneapolis, MN,
               Independent Accountants.

        24.01* Power of Attorney (see page 7).
---------------------------

        *      Filed herewith.

        (1)    Filed as Exhibit 3(i).04 with the Registrant's Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.

        (2)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.08 to the Registrant's
               Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-40344) filed on
               June 28, 2000.

        (3)    Filed as Exhibit 3(i).01 with the Registrant's Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998, as amended.

        (4)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's
               Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91932) filed on
               May 5, 1995, and as subsequently amended.

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

               (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;

               (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or

                                      -5-
6

in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation
from the low and high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

               (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or
any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

        (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

        (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 hereof, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered hereby, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      -6-
7

                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on September 8,
2000.

                                     HNC SOFTWARE INC.

                                     By:  /s/ KENNETH J. SAUNDERS
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Kenneth J. Saunders
                                          Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature
appears below and on the next page constitutes and appoints John Mutch, Kenneth
J. Saunders and Russell C. Clark, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form
S-8, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and all documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or it
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE                           TITLE                                     DATE
---------                           -----                                     ----
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER:

/s/ JOHN MUTCH                      President, Chief Executive Officer        September 8, 2000
-----------------------------       and a Director
John Mutch

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER:

/s/ KENNETH J. SAUNDERS             Chief Financial Officer and Secretary     September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Kenneth J. Saunders

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER:

/s/ RUSSELL C. CLARK                Vice President, Corporate Finance and     September 8, 2000
-----------------------------       Assistant Secretary
Russell C. Clark

ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS:

/s/ EDWARD K. CHANDLER              Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Edward K. Chandler

/s/ DAVID CHEN                      Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
David Chen
-7-
8
SIGNATURE                           TITLE                                     DATE
---------                           -----                                     ----
ADDITIONAL DIRECTORS:

/s/ THOMAS F. FARB                  Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Thomas F. Farb

/s/ CHARLES H. GAYLORD, JR.         Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Charles H. Gaylord, Jr.

/s/ ALEX W. HART                    Director                                  September 8, 2000
-----------------------------
Alex W. Hart
-8-
9

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 EXHIBIT TITLE
-------                                -------------
4.01           Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the
               Secretary of State of Delaware on June 13, 1996 (1).

4.02           Certificate of Amendment to Registrant's Restated Certificate of
               Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on
               June 12, 2000 (2).

4.03           Registrant's Bylaws, as amended (3).

4.04*          Systems/Link Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan and related forms
               of agreements.

4.05*          Form of Registrant's 1998 Stock Option Plan and related form of
               agreement.

4.06           Form of specimen certificate for Registrant's Common Stock (4).

5.01*          Opinion of Fenwick & West LLP.

23.01*         Consent of Fenwick & West LLP (included in Exhibit 5.01).

23.02*         Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, San Diego, CA Independent
               Accountants.

23.03*         Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Minneapolis, MN,
               Independent Accountants.

24.01*         Power of Attorney (see page 7).
---------------------------

*       Filed herewith.

(1)     Filed as Exhibit 3(i).04 with the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for
        the quarter ended June 30, 1996.

(2)     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.08 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-40344) filed on June
        28, 2000.

(3)     Filed as Exhibit 3(i).01 with the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for
        the quarter ended June 30, 1998, as amended.

(4)     Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's
        Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91932) filed on May 5,
        1995, and as subsequently amended.