Software and its Types – GeeksforGeeks

In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or commands that tells a computer what to do. Or in other words, the software is a computer program that provides a set of instructions to execute a user’s commands and tell the computer what to do. For example like MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc. The chart below describes the types of software:

Above is the diagram of types of software. Now we will briefly describe each type and its subtypes :

System Software

System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and provides the basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to operate smoothly. Or in other words, system software basically controls a computer’s internal functioning and also controls hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc. It is like an interface between hardware and user applications, it helps them to communicate with each other because hardware understands machine language(i.e. 1 or 0) whereas user applications are work in human-readable languages like English, Hindi, German, etc. so system software converts the human-readable language into machine language and vice versa.

Features of system software:

Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:

1. System Software is closer to the computer system.
2. System Software is written in a low-level language in general.
3. System software is difficult to design and understand.
4. System software is fast in speed(working speed).
5. System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to application software.

Types of system software:

It has two subtypes which are:

1. Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When the computer system ON it is the first software that loads into the computer’s memory. Basically, it manages all the resources such as memory, CPU, printer, hard disk, etc., and provides an interface to the user, which helps the user to interact with the computer system. It also provides various services to other computer software. Examples of operating systems are Linux, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, etc.
2. Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the human-readable language into a machine language and vice versa. So, the conversion is done by the language processor. It converts programs written in high-level

   programming languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc(known as source code), into sets of instructions that are

   easily readable by machines(

   known as object code or machine code).

3. Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls a device and helps that device to perform its functions. Every device like a printer, mouse, modem, etc. needs a driver to connect with the computer system eternally. So, when you connect a new device with your computer system, first you need to install the driver of that device so that your operating system knows how to control or manage that device.

Application Software 

Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much more than the basic operation of the computer is known as application software. Or in other words, application software is designed to perform a specific task for end-users. It is a product or a program that is designed only to fulfill end-users’ requirements. It includes word processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory, payroll programs, etc.

Features of application software:

Let us discuss some of the features of Application Software:

1. An important feature of application software is it performs more specialized tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
2. Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage space.
3. Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to use and design.
4. The application software is easy to design and understand.
5. Application software is written in a high-level language in general.

Types of application software:

There are different types of application software and those are:

1. General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used for a variety of tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task only. For example, MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
2. Customized Software: This type of application software is used or designed to perform specific tasks or functions or designed for specific organizations. For example, railway reservation system, airline reservation system, invoice management system, etc.
3. Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support the computer infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure, optimize and maintains the system, and take care of its requirements as well. For example, antivirus, disk fragmenter, memory tester, disk repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, etc.

Difference between system software and application software

Now, let us discuss some difference between system software and application software:

System Software 

Application Software

It is designed to manage the resources of the computer system, like memory and process management, etc.It is designed to fulfill the requirements of the user for performing specific tasks.Written in a low-level language Written in a high-level languageLess interactive for the usersMore interactive for the usersSystem software plays vital role for the effective functioning of a system.Application software is not so important for the functioning of the system, as it is task specific.It is independent of the application software to run.It needs system software to run.

Sample Problems

Question 1. Which one of the following is not software?

(A) MS-Word

(B) MS-Excel

(C) Keyboard

(D) Microsoft windows

Solution: 

The correct option is C, i.e.,Keyboard 

Because a keyboard is not software, as it is a hardware device( input device).

Question 2. Which one of the following is acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware?

(A) Monitor

(B) Operating system 

(C) User thread

(D) Application program

Solution: 

The correct option is B, i.e., Operating System.

Because an operating system provides an interface to the user, which helps the user to interact with the computer system. 

Question 3. The only language that the computer can process or execute is called ___________  ?

(A) Machine language

(B) Normal language

(C) Computer language

(D) High-level language

Solution:

The correct option is A, i.e.,Machine language

The only language that the computer can process or execute is called machine language as this language is capable of telling the computer explicitly what to do.

Question 4. Which of the following software is used to control the operations of a computer?

(A) Application Software

(B) System Software

(C) Utility Software

(D) Language Processor

Solution:

The correct option is B, i.e.,System Software

There are two types of software: system software and application software. System Software is used to control the operations and also controls a computer’s internal functioning and hardware devices.

Question 5. Which one of the following software is designed to solve a specific problem or to do a specific task?

(A) Language Processor

(B) Application Software

(C) System Software

(D) Utility Software

Solution:

The correct option is B, i.e., Application Software

Because a software that performs special functions or provides function which are much more than basic operation of the computer are application software.

Question 6. Which one of the following is not an example of an operating system?

(A) Linux

(B) Apple macOS

(C) Microsoft Windows,

(D) None of the above

Solution:

The correct option is D, i.e., None of the above

Because Linux, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows are the examples of operating systems.

Question 7. Which of the following is a language processor?

(A) C++ programming language

(B) Compiler

(C) Linux

(D) All of the above 

Solution:

The correct option is B, i.e., Compiler

Because a language processor is designed or used to convert program code to machine code. So, a compiler is a language processor and used in C/C++ programming language.

My Personal Notes

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