Page 8 - DCAP507_SYSTEM_SOFTWARE

System Software

Notes 1.1 System Software

System software is defined as software needed to assist the production or implementation of
application programs but which is not particular to any specific application.

1.1.1 System Software Concept

System Software is a set of programs to carry out a number of system functions such as file
editing, resource organization, I/O management and storage organization. The trait in which
system software varies from application software is machine reliance. An application program
is chiefly related with the clarification of some problem, by means of the computer as a tool.
System programs alternatively are projected to assist the operation and utilization of the computer
itself, instead of any specific application. Therefore, they are typically connected to the architecture
of the machine on which they are executed.

Example: Assemblers convert mnemonic instructions into machine code. The instruction
formats, addressing modes are of direct concern in assembler design.
There are some facets of system software that do not directly rely on the sort of computing
system being supported. These are called machine-independent traits.

Example: The common design and logic of an assembler is fundamentally the similar on
most computers.
An instruction is a set of programs that has to be fed to the computer for procedure of computer
system all together. When you switch on the computer the programs written in ROM is
implemented which triggers dissimilar units of your computer and makes it prepared for you to
work on it. This set of program can be considered as system software. Thus system software may
be defined as a set of one or more programs intended to manage the operation of computer
system.
System software are common programs intended for carrying out tasks like handling all
operations needed to move data into and out of the computer. It converses with printers, card
reader, disk, tapes, etc. monitor the use of a variety of hardware such as memory, CPU, etc. Also
system software is necessary for the expansion of applications software.

Did u know? System Software permits application packages to be executed on the computer
with less time and effort.

!

Caution It is not possible to execute application software not including system software.
Development of system software is a multifaceted task and it needs extensive knowledge of
computer technology. Because of its intricacy it is not produced in house. Computer manufactures
construct and supply this system software with the computer system. DOS, UNIX and WINDOWS
are some of the broadly used system software. Out of these UNIX is a multi-user operating
system while DOS and WINDOWS are PC-based.
Thus without system software it is impracticable to operate your computer. The following figure
is shown as Figure 1.1 relation between hardware, software and you as a user of computer system.

2 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY