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| {{short description|Type of software}} | {{short description|Type of software}} | ||
| {{about|system software in general|Apple Inc's old operating system, formerly named "System Software"|Classic Mac OS}} |
{{about|system software in general|Apple Inc's old operating system, formerly named "System Software"|Classic Mac OS}} | ||
| {{Refimprove|date=January 2022}} | {{Refimprove|date=January 2022}} | ||
| '''System software''' is software designed to provide a platform for other software. Examples of system software include ]s (OS) (like macOS, Linux, Android, and Microsoft Windows).<ref> | '''System software''' is ] designed to provide a platform for other software. Examples of system software include ]s (OS) (like macOS, Linux, Android, and Microsoft Windows).<ref> | ||
| {{cite web |title=Panel: Systems Programming in 2014 and Beyond |url=https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Lang-NEXT/Lang-NEXT-2014/Panel-Systems-Programming-Languages-in-2014-and-Beyond |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607224814/https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Lang-NEXT/Lang-NEXT-2014/Panel-Systems-Programming-Languages-in-2014-and-Beyond |archive-date=2014-06-07 |access-date=4 December 2015 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> |
{{cite web |title=Panel: Systems Programming in 2014 and Beyond |url=https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Lang-NEXT/Lang-NEXT-2014/Panel-Systems-Programming-Languages-in-2014-and-Beyond |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607224814/https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Lang-NEXT/Lang-NEXT-2014/Panel-Systems-Programming-Languages-in-2014-and-Beyond |archive-date=2014-06-07 |access-date=4 December 2015 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> | ||
| Application software is software that allows users to do user-oriented tasks such as |
Application software is software that allows users to do user-oriented tasks such as creating text documents, playing or developing games, creating presentations, listening to music, drawing pictures, or browsing the web. Examples of such software are computational science software, game engines, search engines, industrial automation, and software as a service applications.<ref>{{cite book|first1=W. W.|last1=Millner|first2=Ann|last2= Montgomery-Smith|date=2022|title=Information and Communication Technology for Intermediate GNVQ.|page= 126}}</ref> | ||
| In the late 1940s, application software was custom-written by computer users to fit their specific hardware and requirements. System software was usually supplied by the manufacturer of the computer hardware and was intended to be used by most or all users of that system. | In the late 1940s, application software was custom-written by computer users to fit their specific hardware and requirements. System software was usually supplied by the manufacturer of the computer hardware and was intended to be used by most or all users of that system. | ||
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| Many operating systems come pre-packaged with basic application software. Such software is not considered system software when it can be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software. Examples of such software are games and simple editing tools supplied with Microsoft Windows, or software development toolchains supplied with many Linux distributions. | Many operating systems come pre-packaged with basic application software. Such software is not considered system software when it can be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software. Examples of such software are games and simple editing tools supplied with Microsoft Windows, or software development toolchains supplied with many Linux distributions. | ||
| Some of the grayer areas between system and application software are ]s integrated deeply into the operating system such as ] in some versions of ], or |
Some of the grayer areas between system and application software are ]s integrated deeply into the operating system such as ] in some versions of ], or ChromeOS where the browser functions as the only user interface and the only way to run programs (and other web browser their place){{cfn|date=December 2024}}. | ||
| Cloud-based software is another example of systems software, providing services to a software client (usually a web browser or a JavaScript application running in the web browser), not to the user directly. It is developed using ] methodologies and ]s. | |||
| ==Operating systems or system control program== | ==Operating systems or system control program== | ||
| The ] (prominent examples being ], ], ], and ]), allows the parts of a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferring ] between ] and ] or rendering output onto a ]. It provides a platform (]) to run high-level system software and ]. | The ] (prominent examples being ], ], ], and ]), allows the parts of a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferring ] between ] and ] or rendering output onto a ]. It provides a platform (]) to run high-level system software and ]. | ||
| A ] is the core part of the operating system that defines an ] for applications programs (including some system software) and an interface to device drivers. | A ] is the core part of the operating system that defines an ] for applications programs (including some system software) and an interface to device drivers. | ||
| ]s and |
]s and ], including computer ] or ], provide basic functionality to operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer. | ||
| A user interface |
A user interface interacts with a computer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Microcomputer Information Technology |url=http://home.olemiss.edu/~misbook/sfsysfm.htm|access-date=2013-09-22}}</ref> It can either be a ] (CLI) or, since the 1980s, a ] (GUI). This is the part of the operating system the user directly interacts with; it is considered an application and not system software. | ||
| ==Utility software or system support programs == | == Utility software or system support programs == | ||
| Some organizations use the term systems programmer to describe a job function that is more accurately termed ]. Software tools these employees use are then called system software. This ] helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer, such as virus protection. The term system software can also include software development tools (like a ], ], or ]).<ref name=webopedia> | Some organizations use the term systems programmer to describe a job function that is more accurately termed ]. Software tools these employees use are then called system software. This ] helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer, such as virus protection. The term system software can also include software development tools (like a ], ], or ]).<ref name=webopedia> | ||
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| {{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:24, 10 January 2025
Type of software This article is about system software in general. For Apple Inc's old operating system, formerly named "System Software", see Classic Mac OS. | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "System software" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
System software is software designed to provide a platform for other software. Examples of system software include operating systems (OS) (like macOS, Linux, Android, and Microsoft Windows).
Application software is software that allows users to do user-oriented tasks such as creating text documents, playing or developing games, creating presentations, listening to music, drawing pictures, or browsing the web. Examples of such software are computational science software, game engines, search engines, industrial automation, and software as a service applications.
In the late 1940s, application software was custom-written by computer users to fit their specific hardware and requirements. System software was usually supplied by the manufacturer of the computer hardware and was intended to be used by most or all users of that system.
Many operating systems come pre-packaged with basic application software. Such software is not considered system software when it can be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software. Examples of such software are games and simple editing tools supplied with Microsoft Windows, or software development toolchains supplied with many Linux distributions.
Some of the grayer areas between system and application software are web browsers integrated deeply into the operating system such as Internet Explorer in some versions of Microsoft Windows, or ChromeOS where the browser functions as the only user interface and the only way to run programs (and other web browser their place).
Operating systems or system control program
The operating system (prominent examples being Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and z/OS), 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 provides a platform (hardware abstraction layer) to run high-level system software and application software.
A kernel is the core part of the operating system that defines an application programming interface for applications programs (including some system software) and an interface to device drivers.
Device drivers and firmware, including computer BIOS or UEFI, provide basic functionality to operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer.
A user interface interacts with a computer. It can either be a command-line interface (CLI) or, since the 1980s, a graphical user interface (GUI). This is the part of the operating system the user directly interacts with; it is considered an application and not system software.
Utility software or system support programs
Some organizations use the term systems programmer to describe a job function that is more accurately termed systems administrator. Software tools these employees use are then called system software. This utility software helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer, such as virus protection. The term system software can also include software development tools (like a compiler, linker, or debugger).
See also
System software of video game consoles
- From Microsoft:
- From Nintendo:
- Wii system software
- Wii U system software
- Nintendo DSi system software
- Nintendo 3DS system software
- Nintendo Switch system software
- From Sony:
- PlayStation 3 system software
- PlayStation 4 system software
- PlayStation Portable system software
- PlayStation Vita system software
References
- "Panel: Systems Programming in 2014 and Beyond". Microsoft. Archived from the original on 2014-06-07. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- Millner, W. W.; Montgomery-Smith, Ann (2022). Information and Communication Technology for Intermediate GNVQ. p. 126.
- "Microcomputer Information Technology". Retrieved 2013-09-22.
- "What is systems software?". Webopedia.com. May 24, 2021 . Retrieved 2022-06-24.
External links
- Sammet, Jean (October 1971). "Brief Survey of Languages Used for Systems Implementation". ACM SIGPLAN Notices. 6 (9): 1–19. doi:10.1145/942596.807055.