SS(System Software)
System software (systems software) is computer software
designed to operate and control the computer hardware and to provide a platform
for running application software.[1] System software can be separated into two
different categories, operating systems and utility software.
The operating system (prominent examples being z/OS,
Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux), 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 also provides a platform to run
high-level system software and application software.
A kernel is the core part of the operating system that
defines an API for applications programs (including some system software) and
an interface to device drivers.
Device drivers such as computer BIOS and device firmware
provide basic functionality to operate and control the hardware connected to or
built into the computer.
A user interface "allows users to interact with a
computer." Since the 1980s the graphical user interface (GUI) has been
perhaps the most common user interface technology. The command-line interface
is still a commonly used alternative.
Utility software helps to analyze, configure, optimize and
maintain the computer, such as virus protection.
In some publications, the term system software also includes
software development tools (like a compiler, linker or debugger).
In contrast to system software, software that allows users
to do things like create text documents, play games, listen to music, or web
browsers to surf the web are called application software.[5] The line where the
distinction should be drawn isn't always clear. Most operating systems bundle
such software. Such software is not considered system software when it can be
uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software. Exceptions
could be e.g. web browsers such as Internet Explorer where Microsoft argued in
court that it was system software that could not be uninstalled. Later examples
are Chrome OS and Firefox OS where the browser functions as the only user
interface and the only way to run programs (and other web browser can not be
installed in their place), then they can well be argued to be (part of) the
operating system and then system software.
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