System software is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running application software.[1][2]
The most basic types of system software are:
Computer purchasers seldom buy a computer primarily because of its system software (But purchasers of devices like mobile phones because of there system software, as is the case with the iPhone, as the system software of such devices is difficult for the end-user to modify). Rather, system software serves as a useful (even necessary) level of infrastructure code, generally built-in or pre-installed.
In contrast to system software, software that allows users to do things like create text documents, play games, listen to music, or surf the web is called application software.[4]
Specific kinds of system software include:
The most basic types of system software are:
- The computer BIOS and device firmware, which provide basic functionality to operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer.
- The operating system (prominent examples being Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux), which allows the parts of a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and disks or rendering output onto a display device. It also provides a platform to run high-level system software and application software.
- Utility software, which helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer.
Computer purchasers seldom buy a computer primarily because of its system software (But purchasers of devices like mobile phones because of there system software, as is the case with the iPhone, as the system software of such devices is difficult for the end-user to modify). Rather, system software serves as a useful (even necessary) level of infrastructure code, generally built-in or pre-installed.
In contrast to system software, software that allows users to do things like create text documents, play games, listen to music, or surf the web is called application software.[4]
[edit] Types of system software programs
System software helps use the operating system and computer system. It includes diagnostic tools, compilers, servers, windowing systems, utilities, language translator, data communication programs, database systems and more. The purpose of system software is to insulate the applications programmer as much as possible from the complexity and specific details of the particular computer being used, especially memory and other hardware features, and such accessory devices as communications, printers, readers, displays, keyboards, etc.Specific kinds of system software include:
- Loaders
- Linkers
- Utility software
- Desktop environment / Graphical user interface
- Shells
- BIOS
- Hypervisors
- Boot loaders
- Database Management Systems(SQL, NoSQL)
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