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Difference Between System Software and Application Software

January 13, 2011 Posted by Andrew

System Software vs Application Software

System software and application software are computer programs. The system software is also installed during the installation of the operating system. However, the application software utilizes the capabilities of the computer on which it is installed.

System Software

The programs and the file that comprises the operating system are called system software. These files include configuration files, system preferences, system services, libraries of functions and the drivers for the hardware installed on the computer. The computer programs in system software include compilers, system utilities, assemblers, debuggers and file management tools.

Once you install the operating system, the system software is also installed. Program such “Software update” or “Windows update” can be used to update the system software. However, the end user does not run the system software. For example, while using the web browser, you don’t need to use the assembler program.

System software is also called low-level software as it runs at most basic level of the computer. It just creates a graphical user interface thorough which the user can interact with hardware with the help of operating system. System software just runs at the back so you don’t need to bother about it.

The system software provides an environment to run application software and it controls the computer as well as the applications installed on the machine.

Application software

The subclass of a computer program which utilizes the capabilities of computer is called application software. Application here means the application software and the implementation. The example of application software programs includes media players, spreadsheets and word processors. When multiple applications are packaged together then it is called application suite.

There is a common user interface in each application suite which makes it easier for the user to learn different applications. In some cases, such as Microsoft Office, the various application programs have the ability to interact with each other. This facility is very handy for the user. For example, a user can embed the spreadsheet in a word processor using the application software. Application software cannot run without the presence of system software.

Difference between system software and application software

• System software gets installed when the operating system is installed on the computer while application software is installed according to the requirements of the user.

• System software includes programs such as compilers, debuggers, drivers, assemblers while application software includes media players, word processors, and spreadsheet programs.

• Generally, users do not interact with system software as it works in the background whereas users interact with application software while doing different activities.

• A computer may not require more than one type of system software while there may be a number of application software programs installed on the computer at the same time.

• System software can run independently of the application software while application software cannot run without the presence of the system software.

Related posts:

Difference Between Windows Vista and Windows 7 Difference Between Microsoft Windows Mobile and Google Android Difference between Microsoft Windows and Linux Difference Between Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate Difference Between Apple iOS and Android OS

Filed Under: Operating System Tagged With: application software, computer programs, Microsoft, MS office 2010, operating system, System Software, Vista, Windows 7, windows operating system, Windows update, Windows Vista

About the Author: Andrew

Comments

  1. Boo♥_Boo♥♥ says

    September 27, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    they all nice

    Reply
  2. shahzad ali says

    November 21, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    tanx a lot sir i m very thank full to u sir very great notes

    Reply
  3. Shubhankar Misra says

    January 12, 2015 at 7:39 am

    really helpfull

    Reply
  4. jolene says

    June 9, 2015 at 2:07 am

    tnx for da boring notes

    Reply
  5. Saima Anwar says

    July 6, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    good informatin

    Reply
  6. Maurice mwangi says

    April 6, 2017 at 8:17 am

    GUD NOTES ACTUALLY!!!!!!……

    Reply
  7. Grace says

    April 9, 2017 at 10:56 am

    Extremely helpful thanks.

    Reply
  8. prachi says

    May 3, 2017 at 11:17 am

    very smart
    very nice

    Reply
  9. Allen says

    May 6, 2017 at 12:59 pm

    Too notes for sure

    Reply
  10. Husandeep says

    May 21, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    Good notes sir

    Reply
  11. Okyere Sarfo Edward says

    October 10, 2018 at 6:30 pm

    Thanks for answering my questions.

    Reply
  12. Rogell Jeffrey says

    December 5, 2018 at 10:42 pm

    It was very helpful information
    thanks

    Reply
  13. Rogell Jeffrey says

    December 5, 2018 at 10:44 pm

    That was very helpful information thanks

    Reply
  14. Everett Carr says

    August 6, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    I had a little knowledge in the area, but not specific as you’ve laid out. For one that thinks he/she knows, surprise it don’t get any better than this. Great Job, keep up the good work…. Well done!

    Reply

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