System software and application software are both programs that help users
interact with and instruct the computer to perform specific tasks. However,
there are considerable differences between system software and application
software. They both differ in terms of their design and purpose.
Before we discuss the difference between System Software and Application
Software, let's have a quick overview of both:
What is System Software?
The system software is a combination of programs designed to control and
manage hardware and other resources of the system. Such software help to
expand the processing functionalities of the system, making its operations
fast, effective, and secure. Besides, the system software also provide a
platform for executing application software.
System software mainly enable users to instruct the system using various
commands. However, users generally do not have direct contact with the system
software. A graphical user interface is added with the system software so that
users can easily interact with the system software when needed. Typically,
users do not have the option to interact with core system software. Such
software automatically run in the background, manage system operations, and
balance the overall performance of the system.
Some of the most common examples of system software include an
operating system (OS), firmware, device drivers,
BIOS, debuggers, assemblers, compilers,
and interpreters.
Features of System Software
The following are the main features of System Software:
• The system software is fast in speed.
• System Software is more close to the system or hardware components.
• System Software is usually written or programmed in a low-level
language.
• The system software is very hard to manipulate because it is
difficult to design and understand.
• System Software is less interactive and smaller in size.
What is Application Software?
Application software is a program or a set of programs that primarily help
users perform certain tasks using a computer system. These software are
downloaded and installed separately by the users and have nothing to do with
the system functions. Unlike system software, application software mostly runs
in the front-end and remains visible to users.
Application software can only run on the platforms provided by the system
software. We can refer to application software as an intermediary between the
end-user and the system software. These software are primarily written using
high-level languages according to user-specific requirements. We can install
multiple application software in a single computer system. Although
application software are not mandatory to be installed on the system, they
make the computer system more useful to users.
Some of the most common examples of application software include
MS Office, web browsers, games, media streaming software,
Photoshop,
and other media editing software.
Features of Application Software
The following are the main features of Application Software:
• Application Software is designed to perform specific tasks, such as
image editing, word processing, email, gaming, etc.
• Application Software is usually written or programmed in a high-level
language.
• Application Software requires more storage space because it is mostly
bigger in size. For example, Photoshop software, games, etc.
• Application Software is comparatively easy to design.
• Application Software is more interactive for users.
System Software vs Application Software: Key Differences
Let’s discuss some major differences between System Software and Application
Software:
• System software are designed to manage system resources, such as
process management, memory management, security and maintenance, and more. On
the other hand, application software are primarily designed to allow users to
perform special tasks, such as Photoshop, media streaming, gaming, etc.
• System software are typically written or programmed in a low-level
language, such as
machine language or
assembly language. In contrast, application software are mostly written in a high-level
language, such as Java, C ++, etc.
• System software are commonly referred to as
general-purpose software, while application software are commonly referred to as
specific-purpose software.
• System software are independent of the application software and can
run independently. On the other hand, application software cannot run
independently and require system software to run.
• Without system software, the computer cannot boot or run, making
system software mandatory for the functioning of the system. Besides,
application software is not mandatory and the system can run without them.
• System software are installed with operating system installations,
while users can download and install application software if only they are
needed for specific purposes.
• The system software starts running in the background when we turn on
the computer system and keeps running until the system shuts down.
Furthermore, application software only starts running when we launch them
specifically and can be turned off after completing tasks. In the case of
application software, there is no need to shut down the computer system.
• Programming of system software is complex, whereas application
software can be easily programmed compared to system software.
Difference Between System Software and Application Software
Let’s discuss the difference between System Software and Application Software
with the help of the following comparison chart (in a tabular form):
| System Software | Application Software |
|---|---|
| System software are the type of software designed to manage system resources, such as memory management, thread management, system security, and more. | Application software are the type of software designed to meet the requirements of users to perform specific tasks. |
| System software acts as an interface between the application software and the system. It basically provides a platform to install and run application software. | Application software acts as an interface between users and system software. |
| System software are usually written in a low-level language (e.g., machine language or assembly language), which gives the system maximum compatibility for interacting with computer hardware. | Application software are written in a high-level language. For example – Java, C++, etc. |
| System software are installed along with the operating system. | Application software are third-party software that can be downloaded and installed on the computer according to the user's requirement. |
| System software are general-purpose software primarily used to operate a system with computer hardware. | Application software are specific-purpose software primarily used to perform certain tasks. |
| System software start running when we power-on a computer system and stop when the computer is powered off. They typically run in the background. | Application software generally start when we launch them to work, and stop when we particularly close them. There is no need to turn off the computer system to end the application software. |
| Programming of system software is comparatively complex and more importantly written for hardware compatibility; therefore, less or no user interaction is provided. | Programming of application software is simple as compared to system software. Because they are designed for user-specific tasks, a user-interface is provided so that users can interact and perform according to their work. |
| System software can run independently, meaning that they can also operate without application software. However, the system cannot run without system software. | Application software cannot run independently and system software is required to run them. |
| The working of the system software is mostly automated. They start working on their own when the system is turned on. | User-action is required to operate the application software. They usually work according to the commands given by the user. |
| System software are usually classified as a package program/software or customized program. | Application software are usually classified as client-server, time-sharing, and resource-sharing. |
| System software are essential for the functioning of the system. | Application software are not so important for the effective functioning of the system. |
| Some common examples of the system software include Windows Operating System, Android, Compiler, Debugger, etc. | Some common examples of the application software include Photoshop software, MS Office, File downloader, media player, etc. |
What is the main difference between System Software and Application Software?
The main difference between system software and application software is that
system software are primarily designed to manage system-based resources and
operations and acts as an interface between application software and computer
hardware, while application software are primarily designed to help users
perform specific tasks. Application software provides an interface between the
user and the system software.
Let us discuss the difference between System Software and Application Software
according to their types:
Types of System Software
Some of the important types of System Software are as follows:
Operating Systems: Operating systems are designed to effectively utilize all the hardware and
software components of a computer. Some most commonly used operating systems
are Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, etc.
Device Drivers: Device drivers are computer programs designed to control certain devices
connected to a computer. Some such devices include keyboards, speakers,
printers, scanners, storage devices, etc.
Programming Language Translators: Translators refer to certain programs that transform programming languages
written by developers into a form or a language that can be interpreted,
compiled, and executed by a computer.
Utility Programs: Utility programs are types of programs designed to perform maintenance
tasks in a computer system. Also, such programs can help in performing routine
tasks.
Communication Software: Communication software helps users to easily transfer files, folders, and
programs from one computer to another over networking.
Types of Application Software
Some of the important types of Application Software are as follows:
Word-Processing Software: Word-processing software allows us to easily create, view, modify, store,
or print documents on a computer system.
Spreadsheet Software: Spreadsheet software allows us to easily create a computerized ledger on a
computer system. Such software can be referred to as a numeric data-analysis
tool.
Database Software: Database software can be defined as software that allows the collection of
relevant data that can be accessed by users on a computer system. Users can
store and retrieve files from the database according to their needs.
Graphics Software: Graphics software is designed to help users perform tasks such as creating,
editing, and drawing graphs, structures, pictures, etc. using a computer.
Education Software: Education software helps users to use computer systems as learning or
teaching tools.
Entertainment Software: Entertainment software includes various programs that can be used as an
entertainment tool on a computer system.
Gaming Software: Gaming software, commonly called games, are advanced types of application
software that help users use a computer as a gaming device and play games on
it.
Summary
The purpose of both system software and application software is to help users
interact with computer systems and perform various tasks. However, there are
differences in their design and purposes. While system software is designed to
manage system-resources or processes, application software is designed to meet
certain needs of users to perform specific tasks.
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