System Software

System software helps use the operating system and

computer system. It includes diagnostic tools,
compilers, servers, windowing systems, utilities,
language translator, data communication programs,
data management programs and more.
The purpose of system software is to insulate the
applications programmer as much as possible from
the details of the particular computer complex being
used, especially memory and other hardware features,
and such accessory devices as communications,
printers, readers, displays, keyboards, etc.
Introduction
System software refers to the files and programs that
make up your computer's operating system.
System files include libraries of functions, system
services, drivers for printers and other hardware,
system preferences, and other configuration files.
The programs that are part of the system software
include assemblers, compilers, file management tools,
system utilities, and debuggers.
Definition
The system software is installed on your computer
when you install your operating system. You can
update the software by running programs such as
"Windows Update" for Windows or "Software Update"
for Mac OS X. Unlike application programs, however,
system software is not meant to be run by the end
user. For example, while you might use your Web
browser every day, you probably don't have much use
for an assembler program (unless, of course, you are a
computer programmer).
Since system software runs at the most basic level of
your computer, it is called "low-level" software. It
generates the user interface and allows the operating
system to interact with the hardware. Fortunately,
you don't have to worry about what the system
software is doing since it just runs in the background.
It's nice to think you are working at a "high-level"
anyway.
 Definition of utility
program
A program that
performs a specific
task related to the
management of
computer functions,
resources, or files, as
password protection,
memory
management, virus
protection, and file
compression.
 
Operating System
An operating system (OS) is an interface between
hardware and user which is responsible for the
management and coordination of activities and the
sharing of the resources of a computer, that acts as a
host for computing applications run on the machine.
As a host, one of the purposes of an operating system
is to handle the resource allocation and access
protection of the hardware. This relieves that
application programmers from having to manage
these details.
Application software
Application software is computer software designed
to help the user to perform a particular task. Such
programs are also called software applications,
applications or apps. Typical examples are word
processors, spreadsheets, media players and database
applications.
References