System software:
System software is a set of one or more programs, designed to control the operation and extend the processing capability of a computer system. In general, a computer's system software performs one or more of the following functions:
1. Supports the development of other application s/w.
2.supports the execution of other application software (s/w).
3.Monitors the effective use of various hardware (h/w) resources, such as CPU, memory, peripherals, etc.
4.Communicates with and controls the operation of peripheral devices, such as printer, disk, tape, etc.
Hence, system software makes the operation of a computer system more effective and efficient. It helps the h/w components work together, and provides support for the development and execution of application software( programs). the program included in a system s/w package are called system programs, and the programmers who prepare system software are referred as system programmer.
some of the most commonly known types of the system software are:
1. Operating Systems: An operating system (often referred to as OS )is an integrated set of programs that controls the resources (the CPU, memory, I/O devices,etc.) of a computer system and provides its users with an interface or virtual machine that is more convenient to use than the bare machine. According this definition, the two primary objectives of an OS are: (i) Making a computer system convenient to use. (ii) Managing the resources of a computer system.
2. Programming language translator: Programming language translators are system s/w, which transform the instructions prepared by the programmers in a programming language, into a form, which has been interpreted or executed by a computer system.
3. Communication S/W: In a network environment where multiple computers are interconnected together by communications network, communication s/w enables transfer of data programs from one system to another.
4.Utility Programs: Utility programs (also known as utilities) are a set programs, which help users in system maintenance tasks, and in performing tasks of routine nature. some of the tasks commonly performed by utility programs include formatting of hard disks or floppy disks, taking backup of files stored on hard disk on to a tape or floppy disk, sorting of the records stored in a file in a particular order based on some keyfield(s), etc.
Application Software:
Application s/w is a set of one or more programs, designed to solve a specific problem, or do a specific task. For example, an application s/w for payroll processing produces pay slips as the major output, and an application s/w for processing examination results produces mark sheets as the major output along with some other statistical reports. The program included in the application s/w package is called application programs and the programmers who prepare application s/w are called application programmers.
Some of the most commonly known application s/w are:
(i) Word processing s/w
(ii) spreadsheet s/w
(iii) Database s/w
(iv) Graphics s/w
(v) personal assistance s/w
(vi) Education s/w
(vii) Entertainment s/w
