A system software is a software designed to run and manage the computer’s hardware. It acts as a platform for all other software. The user does not usually interact with it directly.
Types of system software
- Operating System (OS): The most important software. It manages everything e.g. Windows, macOS, Android
- Utility programs: Software that performs “housekeeping” or maintenance tasks to keep the system running smoothly e.g. anti-virus, disk cleanup, file compression, WinRAR
- Device Drivers: A small piece of software that acts as a “translator” between the OS and a piece of hardware e.g. you need a printer driver for your OS to speak to your printer.
Application Software is a software designed to help the user perform a specific task. This is the software You use.
Categories of Application software
- Word processor: for creating and editing text documents e.g. MS Word
- Spreadsheets: for organizing and calculating data in tables e.g. MS Excel
- Presentation software: for creating slide shows e.g. MS PowerPoint
- Web browser: for accessing the internet e.g. Google Chrome
- Databases: for storing and querying large amounts of data e.g MS Access, My SQL
- Media players/Editors: e.g. VLC Player
- Games: e.g. FIFA, Call of duty
Relationship between hardware, system software and application software
Hardware: the physical machine
Software: manages hardware
Application: the user
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