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Module 3 - Reading2 - SystemSoftware

System software includes operating systems and utility software. Operating systems allow computer hardware parts to work together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and disks. Key parts of an operating system include the kernel, device drivers, and a user interface. Utility software helps analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer. System software provides a platform for running application software like word processors, games, and web browsers.

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24 views

Module 3 - Reading2 - SystemSoftware

System software includes operating systems and utility software. Operating systems allow computer hardware parts to work together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and disks. Key parts of an operating system include the kernel, device drivers, and a user interface. Utility software helps analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer. System software provides a platform for running application software like word processors, games, and web browsers.

Uploaded by

Christopher Advincula
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Reading: System Software

Introduction
System software (systems software) is computer software
designed to operate and control the computer hardware and
to provide a platform for running application
software. System software can be separated into two
different categories, operating systems and utility software.

•
• The operating system (prominent examples being z/OS,
Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux), 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.
• A kernel is the core part of the operating system that
defines an API for applications programs
(including some system software) and an interface
to device drivers.
• Device drivers such as computer BIOS and
device firmware provide basic functionality to
operate and control the hardware connected
to or built into the computer.
• A user interface “allows users to interact with a
computer.” Since the 1980s the graphical user
interface (GUI) has been perhaps the most
common user interface technology. The
command-line interface is still a commonly used
alternative.
• Utility software helps to analyze, configure, optimize and
maintain the computer, such as virus protection.
In some publications, the term system software also includes
software development tools (like a compiler, linker or
debugger).
In contrast to system software, software that allows users to
do things like create text documents, play games, listen to
music, or web browsers to surf the web are called
application software. The line where the distinction should be
drawn isn’t always clear. Most operating systems bundle
such software. Such software is not considered system
software when it can be uninstalled without affecting the
functioning of other software. Exceptions could be e.g. web
browsers such as Internet Explorer where Microsoft argued
in court that it was system software that could not be
uninstalled. Later examples are Chrome OS and Firefox OS
where the browser functions as the only user interface and
the only way to run programs (and other web browser can
not be installed in their place), then they can well be argued
to be (part of) the operating system and then system
software.

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