Understand the Difference between System Software and Application Software and various type of it

Categories of Software

• System software consists of programs that control and manage a computer’s hardware. New computers often come with such software from the manufacturer, which supports the system and its information processing tasks.
• System software is more transparent and less noticed by the users, they usually interact with the hardware or the applications. This software provides a programming environment in which programmers can create applications to accommodate their needs. This environment provides functions that are not available at the hardware level and performs the tasks related to the execution of an application program. Hence, system software acts as an interface between the hardware of the computer and the software applications.
• System software makes a computer work by providing basic features like file management, display, and keyboard input. Application software relies on these features to run. Examples include operating systems, device drivers, language translators, and utilities.

1.Operating System

• The operating system loads first into computer memory when the computer starts up. As the initial software layer, it supports all other software loaded afterward by providing various common core services.
• These common core services include disk access, memory management, task scheduling, and user interfacing. In addition, the operating system ensures that different programs executing at the same time do not interfere with each other.
• It provides a software platform on top of which other programs can run. In simple words, the operating system organizes and controls the hardware.Examples of operating systems are Windows XP, UNIX, and Linux. The basic functions of an operating system are:

1. Process Management: It handles the creation, deletion, suspension, resumption, and synchronization of processes.
2. Memory Management: It handles allocation and de-allocation of memory space as required by various programs.
3. File Management: It is responsible for creation and deletion of files and directories. It also organizes, stores, retrieves, names, and protects all the files.
4. Device Management: It manages all the devices of the computer system such as printers and modems. If any device fails, it detects the device failure and notifies the same to the user.
5. Security Management: It protects system resources and information against destruction and unauthorized use.
6. User Interface:It provides the interface between the user and the hardware.

2.Device Drivers

• Device drivers are system programs that enable hardware—like printers, monitors, mice, or keyboards—to work correctly. Each device needs its specific driver installed before use. Modern operating systems often include built-in drivers for common hardware.
• A device driver translates between a device and the operating system. For example, when printing, the processor sends generic commands to the printer driver, which converts them into instructions the printer understands. Each device has unique commands handled by its driver, which works with the OS to ensure proper device function.

3.Language Translators

• Computers only understand machine language—binary code of 0s and 1s. To simplify programming, developers created high-level languages resembling English. These require a translator to convert the code into machine language so computers can execute it.
• With each programming language, developers created a translator that converts its instructions into binary code—0s and 1s—so the computer can understand and execute them.

The programming language used determines the type of language translator. Developers divide language translators into three major categories: compiler, interpreter, and assembler. The table below lists all three.

System utility programs manage routine tasks to maintain and secure the computer system. These small, task-specific programs support and enhance existing software and data. Some come with the operating system, others are free, and some must be purchased. Common utility functions include:

1. File Management: These utilities simplify managing data files. They help users find files, create and organize directories, and copy, move, or delete files. For example, Windows Explorer in the Microsoft Windows operating system performs all these tasks through a user-friendly interface.
2. Backup: Sometimes data files get corrupted or accidentally deleted. In such cases, data backups prove very useful. Organizations that want to keep their data intact rely on backup system utilities.
3. Data Recovery: It is the process of retrieving deleted or inaccessible data from failed electronic storage media such as computer hard disk drives, removable media, optical devices, and tape cartridges. The data might become inaccessible due to a software problem, computer virus, mechanical or electrical malfunction or a deliberate human act. Using these tools, experienced technicians can successfully recover 80 to even 100 percent of lost data.
4. Virus Protection: Anti-virus programs play a crucial role in protecting computer systems connected to networks. They secure the system from viruses—small malicious programs that copy themselves onto hard disks from the Internet or other infected devices. Viruses spread through networks or by exchanging infected storage media like floppies and CDs. Anti-virus software scans the hard disk for viruses and removes any it finds. It also continuously monitors the system to detect any virus activity. Examples of popular anti-virus programs include Norton AntiVirus and McAfee AntiVirus.
5. Disk Management: Disk management programs include various system software like disk defragmenter, data compressor, and disk formatting tools. De-fragmentation implies putting fragments of files in a sequential order onto the disk which reduces the time to access the file.It recognizes the data stored on the disk so that it can be arranged more effectively.Data compression programs squeeze out the slack space generated by the formatting schemes.Formatting tools format the hard drive-in tracks and sectors for orderly storing of data in the drive.
6. Firewall: Firewall forms a barrier between networked computers within an organization and those outside the organization. It is commonly used to protect information such as e-mail and data files within a physical building or organization.Essentially a firewall is designed to protect a computer from unauthorized access, especially via network.
7. Disk Cleanup: To keep a computer running smoothly,regular maintenance is vital.Therefore,one should use the disk cleanup utility,which easily determines which files on hard drive are no longer needed and delete those files.In addition to freeing up potentially significant hard disk space; using disk cleanup on a regular basis can significantly improve system performance.

2.Application Software

• Generally, the most often seen software by a user is application software. Specifically, it is used to accomplish specific tasks rather than just managing the computer system. For a user, the computer system has no specific use without application software. Moreover, application software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft’s Notepad, which is used for writing and editing simple text. Therefore, application software plays a crucial role in making computers functional and useful for users.
• Additionally, application software may consist of a collection of programs, often called a software package, which work together to accomplish a specific task, such as database management software. Furthermore, application software may include a larger collection of related but independent programs and packages—known as a software suite—which share a common user interface or data format. For example, the Microsoft Office suite illustrates this concept by integrating various applications under one umbrella. Therefore, these organizational structures enhance usability and efficiency for users.
• To begin with, application software is dependent on system software. Specifically, system software—such as an operating system—acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware. Meanwhile, application software performs specific tasks for the user. In other words, applications are designed to perform tasks beyond helping the computer operate, which is primarily the role of system software. Moreover, application software is controlled by system software, which manages hardware devices and performs background tasks for them. Therefore, the distinction between the two types of software is important to understand.
• Without system software, the computer will not run. Similarly, without application software, the computer—no matter how powerful—will not be helpful in meeting user requirements. To think of it another way, applications apply the computer’s processing power to business tasks such as tracking the general ledger or billing customers. As illustrated in Figure 1, the application layer executes on the system software layer, which in turn lies on the hardware layer. Therefore, understanding this layered relationship is essential for grasping how computers operate effectively.

• Application software ranges from games, calculators, and word processors (document creating programs), to programs that “paint” images on screen (image editors). Applications represent real world tasks. They can be easily divided by looking at exactly what function they serve. Some of the most commonly used application software are discussed below.

1.Word Processors

• A word processor is software used to compose, format, edit, and print electronic documents. Word processing is one of the earliest applications for office productivity and the personal computer. It involves not only typing, but also checking the spelling and grammar of the text and arranging it correctly on a page.
• A variety of typefaces lets users create different effects. You can include pictures, graphs, charts, and many other elements within the document text. The software also allows changes to margins, fonts, and colors. Today, nearly all personal computers come with a word processing program that functions like a typewriter for writing letters, reports, or other documents and printing them. Popular word processors include Microsoft Word and WordPerfect.

2.Spreadsheets

• One of the first commercial uses of computers was in processing payroll and other financial records. So the programs were designed to generate reports in the standard “spreadsheet”
  format used by bookkeepers and accountants. A spreadsheet application is a rectangular grid, which allows text, numbers, and complex functions to be entered into a matrix of thousands of individual cells.
• The spreadsheet provides sheets containing cells each of which may contain text and/or numbers. Cells may also contain equations that calculate results from data placed in other cells or series of cells. A simple example might be a column of numbers totalled in a single cell containing an equation relating to that column. Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 are examples of spreadsheet applications.

3.Image Editors

• Image editor programs focus on capturing, creating, editing, and manipulating images. These graphics tools offer various features for designing and altering images. Besides providing many filters and image transformation algorithms, some editors allow users to create and overlay layers. Most graphic programs support importing and exporting multiple graphic file formats.
• These computer programs enable the user to adjust an image to improve its appearance. With image editing software, one can darken or lighten an image, rotate it, adjust its contrast, crop out extraneous detail, and much more.Examples of these programs are Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and CorelDRAW.

4.Database Management Systems