System Software

SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is a program designed to run a computer's hardware and applications and manage its
resources, such as its memory, processors, and devices. It also provides a platform for running
application software, and system software is typically bundled with a computer's operating system.
Operating system: An operating system is system software that provides a platform between
computer hardware, application software, and end-users. It is pre-installed on devices and allows
them to be identified and then function. OS is the first thing to be loaded when a system is started.
Device Drivers: A Device Driver is system software that operates or controls a particular device
attached to a computer. It is the device drivers who make it possible for all the external devices to
perform their tasks. Most of the hardware comes with pre-installed drivers in it. However, if the
device is new to the system, then the user may have to download the drivers.
Firmware: Firmware is operational software stored in a flash, ROM, EPROM for the OS to identify it.
The firmware provides instructions on how the device should be operated. Unlike other software,
firmware cannot be manipulated, changed, or deleted by the end-users. They remain on the device.
BIOS and UEFI: BIOS (Basic Input/output System) or the new UEFI (Unified Extended Firmware
Software) gets the computer system started when we turn it on. BIOS also manages the flow of
information between operating systems and the attached devices.
Programming Language Translator: These are the intermediate system software through which
programmers convert the high-level language programming code to machine-level language code.
Assembler, Interpreter, and Compiler are the popular language translators. They are usually designed
by the computer manufacturer and are deliver inbuilt with the system.
Utilities: Utilities are the type of system software that is present between user and application
software. These are the programs designed to configure, analyse, optimize and maintain tasks of the
computer. Their task varies from disk fragmentation to data security.
OPERATING SYSTEM (Types)

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been
many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10
(released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007).
Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most
popular operating system in the world.
macOS
macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes

preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave
(released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).
According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global
operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 80%).
One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many
people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over Windows.
Linux
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they
can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from
proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it.
The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or
versions—you can choose from.
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global
operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.
Operating systems for mobile devices
The operating systems we've been talking about so far were designed to run on desktop and
laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3 players are
different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are
designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple
iOS and Google Android. In the screenshot below, you can see iOS running on an iPad.
Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those made for
desktop and laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software.
However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web,
manage your calendar, and play games.

System Software

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SYSTEM SOFTWARE

OPERATING SYSTEM (Types)

macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes

Operating systems for mobile devices

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