Difference between Compiler, Assembler, and Interpreter.

Compiler Assembler Interpreter

An Assembler is a special tool

A compiler will take all the instructions written in a An Interpreter will run line
that translates programs written
programming language and turns them into a secret by line and further translate
in Assembly language into
language that the computer can understand and each line accordingly after
machine code, which the
follow. This secret language is called machine code, taking the source program
computer can understand.
and it’s what makes the program run on the computer
smoothly.

In this Processor,
Assembler will identify the
debugging is much easy
It needs a lot of memory for creating object codes. error and then begins translating
since it translates until the
it into computer language
error is found

The Compiler requires more time to analyse the entire Assembler is much faster than
It needs less memory than
source code however, the overall execution time is the compiler and equal to the
the compiler
relatively faster. speed of C

This Processor will outline the error after scanning the

This Processor can save No object code is
whole program, hence, debugging is hard since the
memory generated.
error will be everywhere.

The Compiler requires more

time to analyze the entire source
A compiler is more useful
It doesn’t provide much security. code however, the overall
for the security purpose.
execution time is relatively
faster.

Examples: ADD, MUL, SUB, Examples: Python, Perl,

Examples: C, C++, C #
etc. JavaScript and Ruby

Computer software is a set of instructions or programs instructing the

computer to do specific tasks. Software is basically a generic term used to
describe computer programs. In general, scripts, applications, programs and
a set of instructions are all terms often used to describe a software.

On the basis of language in which software is developed and platform which

is required for its execution, we can group different types of software into two
categories: System Software and Application Software. Read through
this article to find out more about System Software and Application Software
and how they are different from each other.

What is a System Software?

Those computer software that control and monitor the computer hardware
and provide essential functionality to the computer are called system
software. Therefore, system software are essential parts of a computer,
which means a computer cannot perform its functions without system
software. System software are entirely responsible for creating an interface
between the computer’s user and computer hardware.

System software are the system-side computer programs that are required
for the working of the computer itself, although the user of the computer
does not need to know about the functionality of system software while using
the computer. Examples of system software include: operating systems,
device drivers, language processors, etc.

What is an Application Software?

A computer software which is developed to perform a specific function is
known as an application software. Application software are also called
end-user software because they are designed to use by users of the
computer.

An application software may be a set of computer programs or a single

computer program. These software provide the required functionality for a
specific purpose. Thus, a computer user uses these software to accomplish a
specific task.

The different types of application software can be developed to accomplish

different tasks such as word processing, playing multimedia files, database
applications, spreadsheets, accounting, graphic designing, etc. The most
common examples of application software are: MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
browsers, video editors, etc.

Difference between System Software and

Application Software
Both system software and application software are essentially required for
using the computer. But they are completely different from each other in
many aspects like programing languages, purposes, development processes,
etc. The important differences between a system software and an application
software are listed in the following table −

Application
Parameter System Software
Software

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

In case of
In general, System
Application
software are
software, high
developed using
level language is
low-level language
Development used for their
which is more
Language development as
compatible with
they are
the system
developed as
hardware in order
some specific
to interact with.
purpose software.

System software
Application
are essential for
software are not
operating the
essential for the
computer
operation of the
Necessity hardware. Without
computer. These
these software, a
are installed as
computer even
per the user’s
may not start or
requirements.
function properly.

System software is Application

used for operating software is used
Usage
computer by user to perform
hardware. specific task.
 System software Application
are installed on software are
Installation the computer installed according
when operating to user’s
system is installed. requirements.

System software
are specific to Users can interact
system hardware, with an application
User
so less or no user software with the
interaction
interaction help of a User
available in case of Interface (UI).
system software.

System software An application

can run software cannot
independently. It run independently.
Dependency provides platform It cannot run
for running without the
application presence of
software. system software.

Examples of
Examples of
system software
application
include operating
software include
systems,
Examples word processors,
compilers,
web browsers,
assemblers,
media players,
debuggers,
etc.
drivers, etc.

Conclusion
The most significant difference between a system software and an
application software is that a system software operates on the machine-side
and is essential for operating the computer hardware, while an application
software operates on the user-side and performs a specific task as per the
user’s instructions.