System software | Definition, History, & Facts

system software, an operating system and the utility programs that come with it, such as those to compile (translate) programs into machine code and to load them for execution. System software controls a computer’s internal functioning and peripherals such as monitors, printers, and storage devices.

The principal system software is the operating system. Some well-known operating systems are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Such systems manage hardware, data and program files, and other system resources that allow users to control their computers. Other components of system software are the basic input/output system (BIOS), the boot program, and device drivers.

In contrast, application software runs on top of system software, directing the computer to execute user-given commands. Application software includes any program that processes data for a user. System and application software are also coded differently. While system software generally uses system programming languages, application programs use general-purpose languages.

System software originally came with a computer when it was bought or leased. In 1969 IBM decided to “unbundle” its software and sell it separately, and software soon became a major income source for manufacturers as well as for dedicated software firms.