System software: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Type of software}}
{{short description| Platform-providing 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]] that provides a platform for other software. An example of system software is an [[operating system]] (OS) such as [[macOS]], [[Linux]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[Windows]].<ref>
'''System software''' is [[software]] that provides a platform for other software.<ref>{{cite web |title=System software |url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/system-software |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=Encyclopaedia Britannica}}</ref> Examples include the [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]] and [[device driver]]s of an [[operating system]] (OS).<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> A [[systems administrator]] (a.k.a. systems programmer) uses system software to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain a computer.
{{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> A [[computer program |program]] that runs in the context of the platform is classified as [[Application software |application]] or [[Utility software |utility]] software based on the functionality it provides and the [[User role |role]] of intended [[User (computing)|users]]. Application software provides for the normal use of a computer, without regard to how the computer works or what it needs to function. It is used to accomplish [[end user]] tasks such as writing documents, playing video games, listening to music, drawing pictures, browsing the web and developing software.<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> Utility software supports managing system hardware and software ([[system administrator]] tasks).


In contrast, [[application software]] allows a user to do [[end user]] 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>
System software typically includes operating systems, device drivers, utility programs, and language translators such as compilers and assemblers.


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 are installed with application and utility software. Regardless, application software is generally not classified as system software. Core utility software is considered by some to be system software if it cannot be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software.<ref name=webopedia> {{cite web|url=http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/systems_software.html
 
Many operating systems come with 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, or software development toolchains supplied with many Linux distributions. System software can include [[software development]] tools like [[compiler]], [[linker (computing)|linker]], and [[debugger]].<ref name=webopedia> {{cite web|url=http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/systems_software.html
| title=What is systems software? | orig-date=September 1, 1996 |date=May 24, 2021 | publisher=Webopedia.com |access-date=2022-06-24}}</ref>
| title=What is systems software? | orig-date=September 1, 1996 |date=May 24, 2021 | publisher=Webopedia.com |access-date=2022-06-24}}</ref>


Latest revision as of 03:32, 19 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Refimprove System software is software that provides a platform for other software.[1] Examples include the kernel and device drivers of an operating system (OS).[2] A program that runs in the context of the platform is classified as application or utility software based on the functionality it provides and the role of intended users. Application software provides for the normal use of a computer, without regard to how the computer works or what it needs to function. It is used to accomplish end user tasks such as writing documents, playing video games, listening to music, drawing pictures, browsing the web and developing software.[3] Utility software supports managing system hardware and software (system administrator tasks).

System software typically includes operating systems, device drivers, utility programs, and language translators such as compilers and assemblers.

Many operating systems are installed with application and utility software. Regardless, application software is generally not classified as system software. Core utility software is considered by some to be system software if it cannot be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software.[4]

See also

References

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