System Software

System software is a software that provides platform to other software. Some

examples can be operating systems, antivirus software, disk formatting softwares,
Computer language translators etc. These are commonly prepared by the computer
manufacturers. These softwares consists of programs written in low-level languages,
used to interact with the hardware at a very basic level. System software serves as
the interface between the hardware and the end users.

Important features
The most important features of system software include :
1. Closeness to the system
2. Fast speed
3. Difficult to manipulate
4. Written in low level language
5. Difficult to design
Types of System Software
Systems software can be categorized under the following:

1. Operating System

The operating system is a type of system software kernel that sits between
computer hardware and end user. It is installed first on a computer to allow devices
and applications to be identified and therefore functional.
Today, the user interacts with the operating system through the
graphical user interface (GUI) on a monitor or touchscreen interface. The desktop
in
 Operating system

modern OSs is a graphical workspace, which contains menus, icons, and apps that
are manipulated by the user through a mouse-driven cursor or the touch of a finger.
The disk operating system (DOS) was a popular interface used in the 1980s.

Types of Operating System

 Real-Time OS: Is installed in special purpose embedded systems like

robots, cars, and modems.
 Single-user and single-task OS: Are installed on single-user devices like
phones.
 Single-user and multitask OS: Are installed on contemporary personal
computers.
 Multi-user OS: Is installed in network environments where many users
have to share resources. Server OSs are examples of multi-user operating
systems.
 Network OS: Is used to share resources such as files, printers in a network
setup.
 Internet/Web OS: Is designed to run on the browser that is online.
 Mobile OS: Is designed to run on mobile phones, tablets and other mobile
devices.
Function of Operating Systems
  They provide the interface between the user and hardware through GUI.
 Manages and allocates memory space for applications.
 Processes the management of applications, input/output devices, and
instructions.
 Configures and manages internal and peripheral devices.
 Manages single or multi-user storage in local and network computers.
 Security management of files and applications.
 Manages input and output devices.
 Detects, installs, and troubleshoots devices.
 Monitors system performance through Task Manager and other tools.
 Produce error messages and troubleshooting options.
 Implement interface for network communication.
 Manages printers in single or multi-user systems.
 Internal or network file management.
Examples of Operating Systems
Popular operating system for computers are:
 Windows 10
 Mac OS X
 Ubuntu
Popular network/server OSs are:
 Ubuntu Server
 Windows Server
 Red Hat Enterprise
Popular internet/web OSs are:
 Chrome OS
  Club Linux
 Remix OS
Popular mobile OSs are:

 iPhone OS
 Android OS
 Windows Phone OS

2. Device Driver
Driver software is a type of system software which brings computer
devices and peripherals to life. Drivers make it possible for all connected
components and external add-ons perform their intended tasks and as
directed by the OS. Without drivers, the OS would not assign any duties.
Usually, the operating system ships with drivers for most
devices already in the market. By default, input devices such as the
mouse and keyboard will have their drivers installed. They may never
require third-party installations. If a device is newer than the operating
system, the user may have to download drivers from manufacturer
websites or alternative sources.
Examples of devices which require drivers:

 Mouse
 Keyboard
 Soundcard
 Display card
 Network card
 Printer
 3. Firmware
Firmware is the operational software embedded within a flash, ROM, or EPROM
memory chip for the OS to identify it. It directly manages and controls all activities
of any single hardware.
Traditionally, firmware used to mean fixed software as denoted by
the word firm. It was installed on non-volatile chips and could be upgraded only by
swapping them with new, preprogrammed chips. This was done to differentiate
them from high-level software, which could be updated without having to swap
components

4. BIOS and UEFI

The most important firmware in computers today is installed by the manufacturer
on the motherboard and can be accessed through the old BIOS (Basic Input/output
System) or the new UEFI (Unified Extended Firmware Interface) platforms. It is
the configuration interface which loads first when the computer is powered up and
is going through POST (Power On Self-Test).
The user can change the BIOS and UEFI settings by pressing
special keys (a function key, delete, or the esc key) at boot-up to load the
configuration page. The user can configure security, boot order, time, and other
options in the page that pops up. Though they work differently, firmware
compliments drivers in a few ways. Both give identity to hardware devices, with
the latter making the operating system see the device.

5. Programming Language Translators

These are intermediate programs relied on by software programmers to translate
high-level language source code to machine language code. The former is a
collection of programming languages that are easy for humans to comprehend and
code (i.e., Java, C++, Python, PHP, BASIC). The latter is a complex code only
understood by the processor. Besides. Simplifying the work of software
developers, translators help in various design tasks.

 Identify syntax errors during translation, thus allowing changes to be made

to the code.
 Provide diagnostic reports whenever the code rules are not followed.
 Allocate data storage for the program.
 List both source code and program details.

6. Utilities
Utilities are types of system software which sits between system and application
software. These are programs intended for diagnostic and maintenance tasks for
the computer. They come in handy to ensure the computer functions optimally.
Their tasks vary from crucial data security to disk drive defragmentation.
Most are third-party tools but they may come bundled with the
operating system. Third-party tools are available individually or bundled together
such as with Hiren Boot CD, Ultimate Boot CD, and Kaspersky Rescue Disk.
Examples and features of utility software include:
 Antivirus and security software for the security of files and applications,
e.g.- Malwarebytes, Microsoft Security Essentials, and AVG. Disk partition
services such as Windows Disk Management, Easeus Partition Master, and
Partition Magic.
 Disk defragmentation to organize scattered files on the drive. Examples
include Disk Defragmenter, Perfect Disk, Disk Keeper, Comodo Free
Firewall, and Little Snitch.
 File Compression to optimize disk space such as WinRAR, Winzip, and 7-
Zip.
 Data backup for security reasons, e.g., Cobian, Clonezilla, and Comodo.
 Hardware diagnostic services like Hard Disk Sentinel, Memtest, and
Performance Monitor.
 Data recovery to help get back lost data. Examples include iCare Data
Recovery, Recuva, and EaseUs Data Recovery Wizard.
 Firewall for protection against external threats, e.g., Windows Firewall.
 Application Softwares
Application software  is a program or group of programs designed for end users. Examples of
an application include a word processor, a spreadsheet, an accounting application, a web
browser, an email client, a media player, a file viewer, simulators, a console game or a photo
editor. The collective noun application software refers to all applications collectively.  This
contrasts with system software, which is mainly involved with running the computer.
Applications may be bundled with the computer and its system software or
published separately, and may be coded as proprietary, open-source or university projects. Apps
built for mobile platforms are called mobile apps. Application software is distinct from system
software, which refers to the software that actually keeps the systems running such as the
operating system, computational science software, game engines, industrial automation, and
software as a service application.

Types of Applications software

1. Presentation software: 
Presentation software enables you to put forth your thoughts and ideas with ease and with good
clarity by using visual information. It lets you display the information in the form of slides. You
can make your slide more informative and more engrossing by adding text, images, graphs, and
videos. It has three components:

 Text editor to input and format text

 Insert graphics, text, video, and multimedia files
 Slideshow to display the information

Types of Application Software

2. Web browsers: 
These software applications are used to browse the Internet enabling you to locate and retrieve
data across the web. The most popular ones are Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.

3. Multimedia software: 
This lets you create or record images, and create audio or video files. This software is
extensively used in animation, graphics, image, and video editing. Popular examples are the
VLC media player and Windows media player.

4. Education and reference software:

This application software, also termed as academic software, is specifically designed to facilitate
the learning of a particular subject. Various kinds of tutorial software are included in this
category. Some of these are JumpStart titles, Mind Play, and Kid Pix.

5. Graphics software: 
Graphics software allows you to edit or make changes in visual data or images. It comprises
illustration and picture editor software. Adobe Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro are a few examples
of graphics software.

6. Spreadsheet software:
Spreadsheet software is used to perform calculations. In this software, data is stored in a table
format. The intersecting area, called cells, are separated to define fields such as text, date, time,
and number. It allows users to provide formulas and functions to perform calculations. Microsoft
Excel is one good example of spreadsheet software.
7. Database software: 
Database software is used to create and manage a database. Also known as a DBMS (Database
Management System), it helps you organize your data. So, when you run an application, data is
fetched from the database, modified, and is stored back in the database. Oracle, MySQL,
Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and IBM Db2 are some popular databases.

8. Word processing software:

It is used to format and manipulate text, thus, creating memos, letters, faxes, and documents.
Word processing software is also used to format and beautify the text. It provides you a whole lot
of features aside from thesaurus and synonyms and antonyms. Along with Word Art features, the
font option lets you change font color, effect, and style as per your choice. Grammar and spell-
check options are also available to check for errors.

9. Simulation software: 
Simulation software is used in the fields of engineering, education, testing, and video games, etc.
It is used where work on the actual system is unacceptable, inaccessible, or maybe dangerous. It
is a program that lets you study or observe an operation, or phenomenon through simulation
without actually doing that operation. The best examples of the simulation are in the field of
robotics, flight systems, and weather forecast, etc.
Apart from these, there are several others in the category of application software that serve
specific purposes. However, application software can also be classified based on their share
ability and availability.

10. Freeware:
As the very name indicates, it is available free of cost. You can download it from the Internet and
use it without any fee. However, this software does not allow you to modify it or charge a fee for
distributing it. Adobe Reader and Skype are good examples of this software.
11. Shareware:
This is distributed freely to the users on a trial basis, usually with a limited time offer. The users
are expected to pay if they want to continue to use the software. Some examples of shareware are
WinZip and Adobe Acrobat.

12. Open source:

This type of software is available along with the source code that allows you to modify the
software, and even add features to the software. These could either be free or paid. Moodle and
Apache Web Server are some examples.

13. Closed source:

Most of the software packages that you use belong to this category. These are usually chargeable
and have intellectual property rights or patents over the source code. It usually comes with
restricted use.
Functions of Application Software
Application software is designed for a specific purpose. Different types of application software
have different functions. It serves as interface b/w user & computer hardware. Information
processing jobs like a spreadsheet, word processing for end-user is also the core function of
application software.
software is commonly used in every field of life because the computer is used in
every field. Some of the important fields are:

 Business
 Medical Field 
 Home 
 Education
 Industries
 Communication
 Difference Between Application and System Software

Sr. Key System Software. Application Software.

No.

Definition System Software is the type of On other hand Application Software

software which is the interface is the type of software which runs as
1 between application software and per user request. It runs on the
system. platform which is provide by system
software.

Developmen In general System software are While in case of Application

t Language developed in low level language software high level language is used
2 which is more compatible with the for their development as they are
system hardware in order to interact developed as some specific purpose
with. software.

Usage System software is used for On other hand Application software

3 operating computer hardware. is used by user to perform specific
task.

Installation System software are installed on the On other hand Application software
4 computer when operating system is are installed according to user’s
installed. requirements.

User As mentioned in above points On other hand in application

interaction system software are specific to software user can interacts with it as
5 system hardware so less or no user user interface is available in this
interaction available in case of case.
system software.

Dependency System software can run On other hand in application

independently. It provides platform software can’t run independently.
6
for running application software. They can’t run without the presence
of system software..

7 Examples Some examples of system On other hand some examples of

software’s are compiler, assembler, application software’s are word
debugger, driver, etc. processor, web browser, media
Sr. Key System Software. Application Software.
No.

player, etc.