System software is a set of one or more program to control and manage, run computer hardware and application program. System software makes the operation of a computer system more effective and efficient; it helps hardware components works together, and provides support for the development and execution of application software. Operating system is the best known example of system software.
Note : Programmers who prepare system software are referred to as system programmers.
a) Operating System: The Operating System is the principal component of system software and is responsible for overall management of computer resources. It also provides an interface between the computer and the user and helps in implementing the application program. An application program requires an OS to function. It is the most important software found in almost all computer installation. The main objectives of OS are:
Make a computer system easier to use.
Manage the resources of a computer system.
b) Utility Program: Utility programs are a set of programs that allows user to analyze, configure system maintenance task. Utility program to enable an OS to perform enable an OS to perform some additional tasks, such as searching and printing the files and scanning the viruses, etc.
Utility programs are added to an OS to perform many tasks that included.
Search and replace: It enables OS to search a file on the basis of specified search criteria.
Print: It enables OS to initiate the print operation of the printer connected with the computer system.
Virus scanner: It enables the OS to detect viruses and bugs, which may affect the correct functioning of the computer system.
Backup: It enables the creation of a copy of various files and folder on a secondary medium such as magnetic disk and magnetic tape in order to keep original data safe.
Data recovery: It enables the retrieval of lost data from a corrupted or damaged primary storage medium.
Language translator: Language translator is used to convert the program code written in one language to another language. The program code provided as an input to the language translator is known as source code. The source code is a high level. The language translator converts the high level language program into the low level language program called object code. Compiler, interpreter and assembler are the most common examples of language translator.
Compiler, translates a high level program into a low level program.
Assembler translates assemble program into low level program.
Interpreter translates assemble program into low level line by line.
Application software: It is a set of one or more program which solves a specific problem, does a specific task or does real work for a user. Application software is used to perform various applications on the computer. Programmers who prepare application software are referred to as application programmer. Today, millions of application software package are available for a wide range of application. They range from simple application such as word processing, preparing tax, banking, hospital to complex scientific and engineering application such as weather forecasting. Example: MS-word, Photoshop, etc.
Package software: Package software is software that is ready-made available for sale, lease or license to the public. It is also known as general purpose application program that perform certain common information processing tasks for the user.
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