System software: Difference between revisions

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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:

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.

In some publications, the term system software is also used to designate software development tools (like a compiler, linker or debugger).^[3]

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]

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:

If system software is stored on non-volatile memory such as integrated circuits, it is usually termed firmware.

References

^ http://depts.alverno.edu/cil/mod1/software/system.html
^ http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid26_gci213024,00.html
^ http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/systems_software.html
^ W. W. Milner, Ann Montgomery-Smith (2000). Information and Communication Technology for Intermediate Gnvq. p.126

External links

This article related to a type of software is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[1] ttp://depts.alverno.edu/cil/mod1/software/system.html

[2] ttp://searchsoa.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid26_gci213024,00.html

[3] ttp://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/systems_software.html

[4] W. W. Milner, Ann Montgomery-Smith (2000). Information and Communication Technology for Intermediate Gnvq. p.126

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 In some publications, the term ''system software'' is also used to designate [[software development]] tools (like a [[compiler]], [[linker_(computing)|linker]] or [[debugger]]).<ref>http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/systems_software.html</ref>
-[[Computer]] purchasers seldom buy a computer primarily because of its system software (But purchasers of devices like mobile phones because of their system software, as is the case with the [[iPhone]], as the system software of such devices is difficult for the end-user to modify).{{citation-needed|date=April 2011}} 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]].<ref>W. W. Milner, Ann Montgomery-Smith (2000). ''Information and Communication Technology for Intermediate Gnvq''. p.126