Differences between System Software and Application Software

Summary

This video script delves into the dichotomy between system and application software. System software, such as operating systems, device drivers, and BIOS, serves as an interface between hardware and application software, managing system resources and running in the background. Examples include Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS. Application software, conversely, is user-facing and specific-purpose, running on the platform provided by system software to perform tasks like word processing, database management, and multimedia editing. It includes general-purpose applications like Microsoft Word and specialized software for business functions. The video clarifies the roles of each, emphasizing that application software relies on system software to operate.

Takeaways

• 💻 Software is categorized into system software and application software, with system software serving as the interface between hardware and application software.
• 🖥️ System software includes the operating system, programming language translators, device drivers, BIOS, and utility software, and is essential for managing system resources.
• 🔧 Examples of system software are Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS, assemblers, compilers, interpreters, and device drivers like those for printers and webcams.
• 🛠️ BIOS, or Basic Input Output System, is a firmware that controls peripheral devices and initiates the booting process of the computer.
• 🛡️ Utility software like antivirus programs, file management tools, compression tools, disk cleanup tools, and backup utilities help maintain and optimize computer performance.
• 📊 Application software is designed for specific user tasks and runs on the platform provided by system software, requiring user interaction.
• 📝 General purpose application software includes word processors, database software, spreadsheets, presentation software, web browsers, and multimedia software.
• 🏢 Specific purpose application software is customizable and used in real-time or business environments, like ticket reservation or payroll management systems.
• 🔗 The operating system acts as a bridge between the user and the computer, facilitating interaction and managing the intercooperation of computer components.
• 🌐 Web browsers retrieve content from web servers and display it to users, serving as a gateway to the internet and its resources.

Q & A

What is the primary function of software?

Software provides instructions to a computer, telling it what to do, and comprises the entire set of programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system.

How is software categorized in relation to computer systems?

Software is categorized into system software and application software, each serving different functions within a computer system.

What is system software and what is its role?

System software serves as the interface between application software and computer hardware. It manages system resources and is considered general-purpose software, operating in the background.

When does system software start running and when does it stop?

System software starts running when the computer system is turned on and stops when the system is turned off.

What are some examples of system software?

Examples of system software include the operating system, programming language translators (assemblers, compilers, interpreters), device drivers, BIOS, and utility software.

What is the purpose of programming language translators in system software?

Programming language translators convert programming languages written by developers into a form that can be interpreted, compiled, and executed by a computer.

What is the role of device drivers in system software?

Device drivers act as an interface between input/output devices and the operating system or users, enabling the proper functioning of peripheral devices like printers and webcams.

What is the function of BIOS in a computer system?

BIOS, or Basic Input Output System, is a small firmware that controls peripheral or input/output devices and is responsible for starting the operating system or initializing the booting process.

What is application software and how does it differ from system software?

Application software is specific-purpose software that runs on the platform provided by system software. It is installed according to user requirements and is used to perform specific tasks, directly interacting with the user.

How does application software operate in comparison to system software?

Application software operates based on user requests, starting when launched and stopping when closed, unlike system software which runs in the background.

What are the two classifications of application software mentioned in the script?

The two classifications of application software are general-purpose application software, which includes ready-to-use programs like word processors and web browsers, and specific-purpose application software, which is customizable and used in real-time or business environments.

Outlines

00:00

💻 System Software: The Backbone of Computer Operations

This paragraph delves into the concept of system software, which serves as an interface between application software and computer hardware. It is designed to manage system resources and is considered a general-purpose software. System software is integral to the operation of a computer system, starting when the system is turned on and stopping when it is shut down. It operates in the background, allowing the user to interact with the computer hardware indirectly. Examples of system software include operating systems like Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, programming language translators such as assemblers, compilers, and interpreters, device drivers for interfacing with input/output devices, BIOS for controlling peripheral devices and booting the system, and utility software for maintenance and optimization of the computer system.

05:01

📚 Application Software: Tools for User-Specific Tasks

The second paragraph focuses on application software, which is designed to perform specific tasks as per user request. It operates on the platform provided by system software and is categorized as specific-purpose software. Application software is user-facing and requires system software to function. It is divided into two classifications: general-purpose and specific-purpose. General-purpose application software includes word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, database software such as Microsoft Access, Oracle, and MySQL, spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, presentation software including Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides, web browsers like Google Chrome and Safari, and multimedia software such as Apple's iMovie and Adobe's Premiere Pro. Specific-purpose application software is customizable and used in real-time or business environments to enhance operations, with examples like ticket reservation systems, hotel management systems, and payroll management systems.

Keywords

💡Software

Software refers to the set of instructions that tell a computer what to do, encompassing all programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system. In the video, software is divided into system software and application software, highlighting its fundamental role in computer operations. The script emphasizes that software is integral to how users interact with and utilize computer systems.

💡System Software

System software is defined as the interface between application software and computer hardware. It manages system resources and is considered general-purpose software. The video explains that system software is installed with the operating system and operates in the background, running from the moment the computer is turned on until it is shut down. Examples provided in the script include the operating system, programming language translators, device drivers, BIOS, and utility software.

💡Application Software

Application software is the type of software that runs based on user requests and performs specific tasks. It is specific-purpose software that is installed according to user needs. The video clarifies that application software cannot run without system software and is directly interacted with by users. Examples from the script include word processors, database software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, web browsers, and multimedia software.

💡Operating System

The operating system is the main program that governs and maintains the intercooperation of the components of a computer system. It acts as a bridge for the interface between man and machine. The video script mentions examples such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, emphasizing the operating system's role in providing a platform for running application software.

💡Programming Language Translators

Programming language translators are programs that transform programming languages written by developers into a form that can be interpreted, compiled, and executed by a computer. The video distinguishes between assemblers, compilers, and interpreters, each serving to convert high-level languages into machine language, which the computer can understand and execute.

💡Device Drivers

Device drivers act as an interface between various input/output devices and the operating system or users. The video script explains that they are necessary for devices like printers and webcams to function within a computer system, often requiring installation from a driver disk.

💡BIOS

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, a small firmware that controls peripheral or input/output devices attached to the system. The video script highlights that BIOS is also responsible for starting the operating system and initializing the booting process, which is crucial for the computer's startup sequence.

💡Utility Software

Utility software helps maintain the proper and smooth functioning of a computer system. It assists the operating system in managing, organizing, maintaining, and optimizing the computer's performance. The video provides examples such as antivirus software, file management tools, compression tools, cleanup tools, disk defragmenters, and backup utilities.

💡General Purpose Application Software

General purpose application software refers to ready-to-use software created by companies or individuals. The video script lists word processors, database software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, and web browsers as examples, noting that these are widely used applications that cater to a broad range of user needs.

💡Specific Purpose Application Software

Specific purpose application software is customizable and often used in real-time or business environments. It is designed to fulfill certain business functions and enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of operations. The video script gives examples such as ticket reservation systems, hotel management systems, and payroll management systems, illustrating how these applications cater to specialized needs.

Highlights

Software is defined as instructions that tell a computer what to do, comprising programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system.

Software is divided into system software and application software.

System software serves as the interface between application software and computer hardware, managing system resources.

System software is a general-purpose software, installed with the operating system.

It operates in the background and starts running when the computer system is turned on.

System software provides a platform for running application software.

Examples of system software include operating systems like Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Programming language translators convert programming languages into machine language.

Assembler, compiler, and interpreter are types of programming language translators.

Device drivers interface between input/output devices and the operating system.

BIOS is a firmware that controls peripheral devices and initializes the booting process.

Utility software helps maintain and optimize the functioning of a computer system.

Antivirus software is a type of utility software that keeps the computer virus-free.

Application software runs on the platform provided by system software and is specific-purpose software.

Application software is installed according to user requirements and runs on user request.

Examples of general-purpose application software include word processors, database software, and spreadsheet software.

Specific-purpose application software is customizable and used in real-time or business environments.

System software acts as the interface between application software and hardware, while application software acts as the interface between system software and the end user.

Transcripts

software is defined as the instructions

that tell a computer what to do it

comprises the entire set of programs

procedures and routines associated with

the operation of a computer system

it is divided into system software and

application software in this video we

are going to talk about the key

differences between these two types

let's start with a system software

system software is defined as the type

of software that is the interface

between application software and

computer hardware it is designed to

manage system resources and is known as

a general purpose software

it is installed on a computer when the

operating system is installed

it is used for operating computer

hardware

it works in the background hence users

don't directly interact with them

it starts running as we turn on our

computer system and stops when the

system is turned off

system software can run independently it

provides a platform for running

application software

these are examples of system software

the operating system is the main program

that governs and maintains the

intercooperation of the components of a

computer system

it acts as a bridge for the interface

between man and machine for example

microsoft windows linux and mac os

programming language translators refer

to programs that transform programming

languages written by developers into a

form or a language that can be

interpreted compiled and executed by a

computer

when we say assembler it is used to

convert the assembly language into

machine language

the compiler is used to convert

high-level language into machine

language in one go

the interpreter is also used to convert

high level language into machine level

language line by line thus execution

time is low

the device drivers act as an interface

between the various input output device

and the users or the operating system

for example printers and web cameras

that come with a driver disk that is

needed to be installed into the system

to make the device run in the system

bios stands for basic input output

system

it is a small firmware that controls the

peripheral or the input output devices

attached to the system this software is

also responsible for starting the

operating system or initializing the

booting process

the utility software helps to maintain

the proper and smooth functioning of a

computer system it assists the operating

system to manage organize maintain and

optimize the functioning of the computer

system some examples are the following

antivirus software that helps to keep

the computer virus free it notifies when

any malicious file is detected and

removes such files

examples of antivirus are mcafee

antivirus and windows defender

the file management tool helps to browse

search arrange and quickly preview the

files of the system for example windows

explorer is the default file management

tool present in the system

compression tools compress big files and

decrease their size

examples of compression tools are winzip

and winrar

this cleanup tool helps to free up the

disk space an example is piriform c

cleaner

disc the fragmenter helps to reduce the

fragmentation and hence reduces the

access speed

the fraggler is an example of a disk

defragmenter

backup utility helps to backup the files

folders databases or the entire disk

an example of backup utility is windows

backup and restored

application software is defined as the

type of software that runs as per user

request it runs on the platform which is

provided by system software

it is known as specific purpose software

it is installed according to the user's

requirements and it is used by users to

perform specific tasks

it runs as per user request

this means when we launch them that's

the only time they start and stop when

we close them

it works on the user interface hence

users directly interact with them

they can't run without the presence of

system software

there are two classifications of

examples under application software

first the general purpose application

software

these are the types of application

software that are ready to use they are

created by a company or an individual

the following are some examples of this

category

word processors help users to input edit

format and output text content

microsoft word and google docs are some

examples of it

database software helps in organizing

data by creating and managing a database

by storing modifying extracting and

searching for information within a

database

examples of database application

software are microsoft access oracle and

mysql

spreadsheet software helps in organizing

storing and analyzing data in columns

and rows to facilitate calculations

effortlessly and efficiently examples of

application software in the spreadsheet

category are microsoft excel and google

sheets

presentation software is designed to

help users to present information with

ease and clarity through engaging visual

modes such as text pictures sound and

video

some examples are microsoft powerpoint

and google slides

web browsers are used to access and view

websites through accessing the world

wide web

it retrieves the necessary content from

a web server and then shows the page on

the user's device upon user requests

some of the most popular web browsers

are google chrome and safari

multimedia software helps users to

create edit or record images audio and

video files

apple's imovie and adobe's premiere pro

are some examples of this software

second the specific purpose application

software

these are the type of software that is

customizable and mostly used in real

time or business environments they are

developed and designed to fulfill

certain business functions and to

enhance the accuracy efficiency and

effectiveness of operations the

following are some of its examples

ticket reservation system hotel

management system and payroll management

system

in a nutshell system software acts as

the interface between the application

software and hardware of the computer

system whereas the application software

acts as an interface between the system

software and the end user

we come to the end of this video lesson

i hope i have given some light to your

knowledge about the difference between

system software and application software

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you