System software
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Software system.
System software (or systems software) is computer software designed to operate and control the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running application software.[1]
System software includes the following:
- The operating system (prominent examples being z/OS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux), 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 helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer.[2]
- Device drivers such as computer BIOS and device firmware provide basic functionality to operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer.
- A user interface "allows users to interact with a computer."[3] Since the 1980s the graphical user interface (GUI) has been perhaps the most common user interface technology. The command-line interface is still a commonly used alternative.
In some publications, the term system software also includes software development tools (like a compiler, linker or debugger).[4]
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.[5]
References
- ↑ "What is software? - Definition from WhatIs.com". Searchsoa.techtarget.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ "What is System Software?". Alverno.edu. 2011-07-24. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ Daeryong, Kim. "Microcomputer Information Technology". Retrieved Set 22, 2013.
- ↑ "What is systems software? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer Dictionary". Webopedia.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
- ↑ W. W. Milner, Ann Montgomery-Smith (2000). Information and Communication technology for Intermediate Gnvq. p.126
See also
- Systems programming language
External links
- Sammet, Jean (October 1971). "Brief Survey of Languages Used for Systems Implementation". SCM SIGPLAN Notices 6 (9): 1–19. doi:10.1145/942596.807055.
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