APPLICATION SOFTWARE AND SYSTEM

SOFTWARE

 Introduction of software :-
software, instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software
comprises the entire set of programs, procedures, and routines
associated with the operation of a computer system. The term
was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware—i.e.,
the physical components of a computer system.

 Type of software :-
Application software: Performs specific tasks for users, such
as word processing, spreadsheets, and database
management

System software: Controls the computer's internal

functioning, including the operating system, monitors,
printers, and storage devices

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  Introduction of application software :-
Computer software is the set of instructions and data that
tells a computer what to do and how to do it. Software
provides instructions to your computer’s hardware. Without
it, your PC or Mac would be little more than a large
paperweight. But software actually comes in three main
types: system software, programming software and
application software. System software includes all the stuff
that makes up a computer’s operating system (OS),
including device drivers, configuration files and other key
system components. This is the software that tells the
computer’s hardware what to do and provides a foundation
for the system. Programming software, or middleware, works
much like the plumbing in your home by invisibly keeping
things running behind the scenes. Application software,
however, is the most important type for computer users
because it is used to achieve many of the tasks that make us
turn to our computers in the first place, such as word
processing, web browsing and data crunching.

Application software applies the power of system software.

This is why when downloading software, you have to find a
version that is compatible with your running operating
system. In essence, that software draws on the OS to create
a Word document, spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation.

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 Function of application software :-
Application software programs are created to help with a
wide range of tasks. Here are a few examples:

Information and data management

Management of documents (document exchange systems)
Development of visuals and video
Emails, text messaging, audio, and video conferencing, and
cooperation are all options.
Management of accounting, finance, and payroll
Management of resources (ERP and CRM systems)
Management of a project
Management of business processes
Software for education (LMS and e-learning systems)
Software for healthcare applications

Advantages of application software :-

 It meets the client’s particular requirements. The client
recognizes that they must use one explicit program to
complete the task because it is planned explicitly for one
reason.

 Businesses that are associated with particular applications

can restrict access and consider ways to monitor their
operations.

 With the logic of health, standard updates from engineers for

Licensed application programming can be obtained.

Disadvantages of application software :-

 Developing application software to achieve certain goals can
be quite expensive for developers. This can have an impact
on their financial plan and income stream, especially if an

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 excessive amount of time is spent on a product that is not
generally worthy.

 Application software that is frequently used by many of us

and then published on the internet poses a genuine risk of
infection by a bug or other malicious projects.

Type of application software :-

Application software can also be categorized based on its

charge ability and accessibility. Here is some application
software:

 Freeware: It is offered for free, as the name implies. You can

utilize freeware application software that you can obtain
from the Internet. This software, on the other hand, does not
allow you to change it or charge a fee for sharing it.
Examples include Adobe PDF, Mozilla Firefox, and Google
Chrome.
 Shareware: This is given away to users for free as a trial,
usually with a limited-time offer. If consumers want to keep
using this application software, they will have to pay. WinZip,
Anti-virus, and Adobe Reader are instances of shareware.
 Open-source: This type of application software comes with
the source code, allowing you to edit and even add features
to it. These could be offered for free or for a fee. Open-
source application software includes Moodle and Apache
Web Server.
 Closed source: This category includes the majority of the
application software programs used nowadays. These are
normally charged, and the source code is usually protected
by intellectual property rights or patents. It usually comes

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 with a set of restrictions. Microsoft Windows, Adobe Flash
Player, WinRAR, macOS, and other operating systems are
examples.
 Word Processing Software: Word Processing Software can be
explained as software that has the functionalities of editing,
saving, and creating documents with Word Processor
Software like Microsoft Word.
 Spreadsheet Software: Spreadsheet Software is a kind of
software that deals with the worksheet where it works on
some automated version to perform numeric functions. For
Example, Microsoft Excel.
 Presentation Software: It is a type of application software
that is used to present some applications like newly
launched functions, products, etc. For Example, Microsoft
Powerpoint.
 Multimedia Software: Multimedia refers to the mixture of
audio, video, image, text, etc., and can be displayed or used
with the help of multimedia software. There are so many
media players that do this kind of work.
 Web Browsers: Web Browser is one of the most used
applications worldwide, it takes you to the internet. You can
use your desktop, mobile, etc for using this.
 Educational Software: Due to the enhancement of the
Internet, there are so many educational software runs in the
market. It consists of Language learning Software, Classroom
Management Software, etc.
 Graphics Software: Graphics Software is also used in large
amounts. There are so many applications where it is used.
Some of the applications include Canva, Adobe, PhotoShop,
etc.
Simulation Software: Simulation Software is a kind of
Software that is used to compare two different kinds of
products and also it helps in evaluating them.

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 Examples of application software:-
Some examples of application software are:

 System for Hotel Management: It relates to the hotel

industry’s management strategies. Hotel administration,
accounting, billing, marketing, housekeeping, and front office
or front desk.

 System for Payroll Management: It is a term used by all

modern businesses to refer to every employee who receives
a regular salary or another form of payment. The payroll
software calculates all different payment options and
generates the relevant paychecks. Employee salary slips can
also be printed or sent using this software.

 System for Human Resources Management: It describes the

systems and activities that exist at the nexus of Human
Resource Management (HRM) and Information Technology
(IT). The HR department’s role is primarily administrative
and is found in all businesses.

 Attendance Recording System: It’s a piece of software that

tracks and optimizes a person’s or student’s presence in an
organization or school. Nowadays, customers’ existing
time/attendance recording devices, such as
biometrics/access cards, can be connected with attendance
systems. Attendance management can be accomplished in
two ways: Integration of biometrics & Integration of manual
attendance

 System of Billing: It is the billing software that is utilized to

complete the billing process. It keeps track of marked
products and services given to a single consumer or a group
of customers.

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 Introduction of system software :-
System software is software that provides a platform for other
software. Some examples can be operating systems, antivirus
software, disk formatting software, computer language
translators, etc. These are commonly prepared by computer
manufacturers. This software 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.
System software refers to the collection of programs and software
components that enable a computer or computing device to
function properly. It acts as an intermediary between the user and
the computer hardware, allowing the user to interact with the
hardware and use various applications and programs. Some
common types of system software include operating systems
(such as Windows, macOS, or Linux), device drivers, utility
programs, programming languages, and system libraries.
Operating systems are the most important type of system
software, as they provide the foundational framework for all other
software and applications to run on the computer. They manage
computer resources, such as memory and processing power, and
provide a user interface for users to interact with the system.
Device drivers are another important type of system software, as
they allow the operating system to communicate with hardware
devices such as printers, scanners, and graphics cards. Utility
programs provide additional functionality to the operating system,
such as disk defragmentation, virus scanning, and file
compression.

Examples of system software :-

System software is a type of computer program that is
designed to run a computer’s hardware and application

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 programs and examples of system software include
operating systems (OS) (like macOS, Linux, Android, and
Microsoft Windows), game engines, search engines(like
google,Bing,Yahoo!), industrial automation, computational
science software, and (SaS)software as a service
applications.

Operating systems (OS): Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.

Device drivers: software that enables the communication
between hardware and OS.
Firmware: pre-installed low-level software that controls a
device’s basic functions.
Utility software: tools for system maintenance and
optimization.
Boot loaders: software that initializes the OS during startup.

Advantages of system software:-

1. Resource management: System software manages and

allocates resources such as memory, CPU, and
input/output devices to different programs.
2. Improved performance: System software optimizes the
performance of the computer and reduces the workload
on the user.
3. Security: System software provides security features
such as firewalls, anti-virus protection, and access
controls to protect the computer from malicious
attacks.
4. Compatibility: System software ensures compatibility
between different hardware and software components,
making it easier for users to work with a wide range of
devices and software.

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 5. Ease of use: System software provides a user-friendly
interface and graphical environment, making it easier
for users to interact with and control the computer.
6. Reliability: System software helps ensure the stability
and reliability of the computer, reducing the risk of
crashes and malfunctions.
7. Increased functionality: System software provides a
range of tools and utilities for performing various tasks,
increasing the functionality and versatility of the
computer.

Disadvantages of system software :-

1. Complexity: System software can be complex and
difficult to understand, especially for non-technical
users.
2. Cost: Some system software, such as operating systems
and security software, can be expensive.
3. System Overhead: The use of system software can
result in increased system overhead, which can slow
down the performance of the computer and reduce its
efficiency.
4. Vulnerability: System software, especially the operating
system, can be vulnerable to security threats and
viruses, which can compromise the security and
stability of the computer.
5. Upgrades: Upgrading to a newer version of system
software can be time-consuming and may cause
compatibility issues with existing software and
hardware.
6. Limited Customizability: Some system software may
have limited options for customization, making it
difficult for users to personalize their computing
experience.

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 7. Dependency: Other software programs and devices may
depend on the system software, making it difficult to
replace or upgrade without disrupting other systems.

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 Issues of system software :-
Compatibility Issues: System software may not be
compatible with certain hardware components, which can
cause errors or crashes.
Security Issues: System software may contain vulnerabilities
that can be exploited by hackers or malware to gain
unauthorized access to the system or steal sensitive data.
Performance Issues: System software may not be optimized
for the hardware or may be resource-intensive, which can
cause the system to slow down or freeze.
Update Issues: System software updates may contain bugs
or compatibility issues that can cause problems with the
system or other software components.
Licensing Issues: Some system software may require
licensing or activation, which can cause problems if the
license expires or if there are licensing errors.

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 User Interface Issues: The user interface of system software
may not be intuitive or may be difficult to use, which can

affect the user experience.

Application Software
System Software

System Software maintains the

Application software is built
system resources and gives the path
for specific tasks.
for application software to run.

While high-level languages

Low-level languages are used to write
are used to write the
the system software.
application software.

While it’s a specific purpose

It is general-purpose software.
software.

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 Application Software
System Software

Without system software, the system While Without application

stops and can’t run. software system always runs.

System software runs when the While application software

system is turned on and stops when runs as per the user’s
the system is turned off. request.

Example: System software is an Example: Application software

operating system, etc. is Photoshop, VLC player, etc.

Difference between system software and application

software :-

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