System Software
System software is a kind of computer program that is programmed to communicate with computer hardware and application programs. Computer Hardware only runs once it has system software like an Operating system. The Operating system communicates between hardware and software, Let Understand, for example, If I want to play the game on to computer then click on the game and the game will start, computer sound will start , keyboard start working accordingly. Now in this example playing the game is only possible if you have a computer with an operating system and game (application software) If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications. An example of system software is Operating System. The Operating system manages all activity or the other programs in a computer.
System software is used to manage the computer working like printing.
System software runs in the background for example saving file.
Maintaining the computer’s basic functions so users can run higher-level application software to perform certain tasks. Essentially, system software responsible for a platform for application software to be run on top of it.
Systems software can be categorized under the following:
- The Operating system: Help communication between hardware, system programs, and other applications.
- Device driver: Enables device communication with the OS and other programs.
- Firmware: Enables device control and identification.
- Translator: Translates high-level languages to low-level machine codes.
- Utility: Ensures optimum functionality of devices and applications.
Operating system is the software that acts as an interface between user and computer hardware. A computer needs to communicate with both the hardware and software; to do this;
it utilizes the services of an Operating system. Examples of some popular operating system are Windows, Linux, Unix, MS-DOS, SOLARIS, MAC OS, Gary Arlen Kildall is known as the father of operating system.
It also acts like a government which lays down policies for efficient utilization of the resources and provides for effective coordination amongst the various components of a computer. Every computer system whether it is an independent system like a desktop or a cell phone must have an operating system for performing the core functionalities like accepting input from various input devices, directing the output to the display, managing the files and directories, communicating with hardware, and installing /uninstalling of peripheral devices.
Operating System as an Interface Functions of an Operating system can be broadly categorized as:
− Communication Manager
− Resource Management
− Process Management
− File Management
− Memory Management
presents the various functions of an operating system.
A device driver is a program that installs on to computer operating system that enables one or more hardware devices to communicate with the computer’s operating system, Without a device driver, the hardware unable to communicate with the operating system
Firmware is a set of instructions programmed on a hardware device. It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates with the other computer hardware.
