What is system software and application software

Software is a set of instructions, programs which enable the computer to perform specified task. In other words, software is nothing but binary code instructions which control the hardware.

In most of the organizations the computer is a valuable resource. Among the resources that a computer has are processing time, storage space, printers, terminals and information. The management of these resources is performed largely by a type of system software called an operating system. When users interact with the computer the interaction is with system software.

There are two broad categories of software, system software and application software. System software is a set of programs that manage the resources of a computer system, so that they are used in an optimal fashion, provide routine services such as copying data from one file to another and assist in the development of applications programs.

System software consists of programs that assist the computer in the efficient control, support, development and execution of application programs. Application software on the other hand, performs specific tasks for the computer user.

System software:
They can be broadly classified in to three types.

  1. System control programs control the execution of programs, manage the storage and processing resources of the computer and perform other management and monitoring functions. Other examples are DBMS and communication monitors.
  2. System support programs provide routine service functions to the other computer programs and computer users. Ex. Libraries, utilities, job accounting etc.
  3. System development programs assist in the creation of application programs.
    System programs are developed and sold by both computer companies and specialized software firms.

Application Software:
It is a program written for, or by, a user to perform a specific job. General purpose application software such as electronic spreadsheet has a wide application. Specific purpose application software, such as payroll and sales analysis is used only for the application for which it is designed.
The system software controls the execution of the application software and provides other support functions such as data storage.