Introduction To Systems Software's With Examples

For every machine, there are two necessary elements, the electrical/electronic and mechanical.

While electrical system provides the required power supply, mechanical parts make the machine work.

Similarly, in a computer system, there are two types that make a computer operational, hardware and software.

System software is a computer program that helps to run a computer’s hardware and application programs.

The operating system is an example of system software. It works as an interface between hardware and its user applications.

The operating system takes care of all the other programs on a computer. System software is what manages the operation of a computer.

Major Features of System Software

System software is the major connector between the computer hardware they manufacture and the end-user.

The system software includes the following features –

High Speed – System software is considered a developed system that provides a strong efficient platform for higher-level software in the system.

Difficult to manipulate – It needs programming language but it is difficult to use than a usual interface.

Written in a low-level computer language – System software is written in a computer language at the central processing unit (CPU) and other hardware can read.

Close to the system – It is connected directly to the computer so as to run the computer.

Versatile – System software communicates with both specialized hardware. It must, also support other programs that are going to run on a computer.

Examples of system software include operating systems like Linux, Android, macOS, computational science software, Microsoft Windows, industrial automation, search engines, game engines, and software as a service application.

With the help of application software, a user can create play games, text documents, browse the web, or listen to music.

However, due to heavy competition in the software section, some web browsers like Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Firefox OS do not allow web browser liberty of using other similar application software.

When the system software was invented it served a custom-based requirement due to unawareness of what people will want in general.

This used to make the use of such system software limited as it did not include other application software.

This resulted in operating system development pre-packaged with basic application software, for example, play games and some simple editing tools.

Operating System

In operating systems like macOS, Microsoft Windows, z/OS, Linux, etc there are tasks like data transfer are carried out by elements of a computer.

High-level system software and application software are run on this platform.

Kernel, a core part of the operating system defines an API for application programs and connects to device drivers.

Device drivers provide basic operation and control of the hardware connected to the computer.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) helps the users to communicate with the computer.

System Programming

It is the activity of programming computer system software. While application programming allows the services to the user directly (word processor) system programming provides software and software platforms that provide services to other software.

System programming leans more towards hardware resources and awareness.

This helps to save a lot of time and money because of the critical efficiency improvisation. The system programming benefits –

• Using it in an algorithm for specific hardware.

• Using low-level programming language.

• Efficiency in little runtime overhead.

• Using direct or raw control over memory access or control flow.

• Writing parts of the program in assembly language.

• Using the simulated environment to reduce debugging problems.

System Programming Language

It is a programming language for system programming.

They are designed to write system software with different development approaches.

General languages are used to run generic application software on different platforms, ALGOL and PASCAL being the examples.

This cannot access the machine’s internal mechanism. Specialized system languages like SPL and ESPOL are programmed considering their platforms.

Unlike application languages, system programming languages allow direct physical access to the machine’s hardware.

The major drawback of system programming languages is that it does not provide built-in input/output facilities. There are two types, mid-level languages, and higher-level languages, of system programming languages.

Examples of system software –

We all know what is meant by OS. Since the surge in mobile users, it is a very common term used by all though many do not even have knowledge about OS.

Operating System is one great invention in the progress of the digital world. Let us see some examples of system software and how they are users

Chrome OS

Not long back, many were not aware of what Chrome is and its usage was also very limited.

It was never a widely-used search engine like Internet Explorer. Chrome OS is web-based system software and the operating system powered by Chromebooks.

While using Chrome OS you are running various application software (mainly Google Chrome) like Android Apps, like Microsoft Word Android App.

Android

Apart from desktop and laptop computers, mobiles and tablets also need system software.

The first well-known mobile system software is undoubtedly Android. That was the first term heard when smartphones captured the market.

Android is the most known mobile system software and caught up 70 percent of the smartphone market while iOS is next in line.

When you are using Android system software you can operate the Google Chrome app, WhatsApp application software, Facebook app, Instagram app, and many other apps.

These all are application software and need operative mobile system software to work but Android can work without application software stamping its importance over other apps.

Windows

The Windows Operating System is well-known and most widely used and it has captured 75 to 87 percent of the computer market. It is so ahead in competition than the second-ranked

MAC has a very small share of the computer market to its name.

The biggest advantage of using the Windows Operation System is that you can install a number of applications software like Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Word, and many more.

Application software needs system software to be operational and without system software, the computer cannot work at all.

Mac OS

The Mac Operating System is also popular along with Windows though sparingly used.

It covered even less than 15 percent of the market share. Though the gap between Windows and Mac Operating system market share is huge, Mac has its own followers and users.

Most of the applications run either on Windows or Mac.

iOS

iOS has the second most users in the mobile section. The iOS system developed by Apple is the most popular among rich and famous personalities.

The iOS is specialized in the mobile sector with a number of applications set in the handset by default.

iOS supports several application software which cannot be operated on Android OS. iOS system software is used in iPads and tablets too.

Xbox System Software

It is now not a secret that the Xbox system software is, from long back, based on the Microsoft Windows system software.

The recent versions of Xbox system software are more compatible with Microsoft Windows system software as they are not much modified.

PlayStation System Software

Every PlayStation version runs on its own operating system to operate the device.

For example, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 cannot run without their own system software.

The operating system of PlayStation is referred to as Orbis OS. The PlayStation 4 system software is equipped with play games, listen to music, and web browser.

Nintendo System Software

Like Playstation, Nintendo devices ahs their system software to run.

Horizon, a Nintendo 3DS system software supports the Nintendo Switch system software.

With Nintendo Switch you can play games and chat with friends.

Blackberry

There was a time when everybody was dying to get a Blackberry cell but very few knew that Blackberry is developed specialized system software mostly for the mobile sector.

Once it was very popular in young as well as the older generation.

Lacking to catch up with the speed and market needs Blackberry is now in the Hall of Fame.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the system software that runs on Linux. Because of its free and open-source, it has attracted many if not all.

While you are using Ubuntu, you can download several application software through Ubuntu Software Center.

With Ubuntu, you will be able to operate application software like Skype, Telegram, and Firefox.

Firmware

It is system software that remains with the device forever hence the name is Firmware.

It is also specialized software that is essential to run the relevant device.

Firmware is a program with a set of instructions that are communicated to your device for proper functioning.

Firmware is also referred to as a ‘middleman’ because it connects the actual operating system and hardware of the device. Firmware is not an application software but a system software.

Programming Language Translators

Programming language translators are also system software because it bridges the communication gap between hardware and software.

Application software such as C++ and Java are written in high-level code language whereas system software uses low-level code.

The programming language translators convert these high-level codes so that the computer or the system software can read and understand.

Device Drivers

The hardware driver known as the device driver is also considered as system software that helps the system to operate normally.

They communicate with the operating system of the computer and help the operating system to recognize that OS cannot thus complete the cycle for operation.

Both the external device and motherboard will need a device driver to support other parts. Your keyboard and mouse have a generic driver so there is no need for any specialized driver to enable operations.

Utility Programs

Those parts which are not actual system software but help facilitate the functioning of the system must be considered as system software.

The system does not operate on some programs but they are an essential part of the software.

For example, an Antivirus is not a part of the operating system but it is software that supports the entire system to redefine itself by removing malware from the OS.

Apart from that disk partition, restoration software, data backup, firewalls, and others also come under the category of system software.