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System Software



System Software

System software provides basic functionality to the computer. System software is required for the working of computer itself. The user of computer does not need to be aware about the functioning of system software, while using the computer. For example, when you buy a computer, the system software would also include different device drivers. When you request for using any of the devices, the corresponding device driver software interacts with the hardware device to perform the specified request. If the appropriate device driver for any device, say a particular model of a printer, is installed on the computer, the user does not need to know about the device driver, while printing on this printer.
The purposes of the system software are :
» To provide basic functionality to computer
» To control computer hardware
» To act as an interface between user, application software and computer hardware.
On the basis of their functionality, system software may be broadly divided into two categories :

System software for the management and functionality of computer

System software for the management and functionality of computer relates to the functioning of different components of the computer, like, processor, input and output devices etc. System software is required for managing the operations performed by the components of computer and the devices attached to the computer. It provides support for various services, as requested by the application software. Operating system, device drivers, and system utilities constitute the system software for management of computer and its resources.

System software for the development of application software

System software for the development of application software provides services required for the development and execution of application software. System software provides the software tools required for the development of application software. The programming language software, translator software, loader, and linker are also categorized as system software, and are required for the application software development.

System Software Classification