Every program on a computer is either looking after the computer itself or helping you get a job done. Learn to sort software into system software and application software, and to give examples of each that earn the marks.
System software provides the services that the computer requires to run and be managed. It includes the operating system and utility software (such as anti-virus, back-up and defragmentation). Application software provides the services that the user requires to carry out a task, such as writing a letter, browsing the web or editing a photo. Applications cannot run without the system software underneath them.
Fig. 1: system software serves the computer; application software serves the user
Section 01
System software.
System software runs the computer and keeps it working well. The user often does not notice it, but nothing else could run without it.
Operating system (OS): manages the hardware, files, memory and other programs, and gives the user an interface. Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
Utility software: small programs that maintain, protect or tune the computer.
Anti-virus: scans files for malware and quarantines or deletes it.
Disk defragmenter: moves the parts of files on a magnetic hard disk so each file is stored together, making access faster.
Back-up software: copies files to another device so they can be restored if lost.
Compression and encryption utilities, device drivers: also system software.
Examiner trap
Naming a brand ("Windows") is fine as an example, but when asked to describe system software you must say what it does: it provides the services the computer needs, such as managing hardware and running applications.
Section 02
Application software.
Application software (an app) is what the user chooses to run to do a particular job.
Application
Task it does for the user
Word processor
write, edit and format documents
Spreadsheet
store numbers and calculate with formulae, draw graphs
Web browser
request, render and display web pages
Database management program
store, search and sort records
Photo or video editor
edit images or video
Game
entertainment
Examiner trap
A web browser is application software, even though it feels like part of the computer. It does a job for the user.
Stage 1 · Learn
Check what the sim just showed you
Four quick checks. Each correct answer earns XP and records this skill on your profile.
Quick check+10 XP
What does system software provide?
Quick check+10 XP
Which of these is application software?
Quick check+10 XP
Which of these is utility software?
Quick check+10 XP
Why can application software not run on its own?
Section 03
Sort it out.
Ask one question: does this program serve the computer, or the user's task?
Worked example Classify
Classify each as system or application software: a spreadsheet, an anti-virus program, a printer driver, a presentation program.
Spreadsheet: helps the user calculate and present data, so application.
Anti-virus: protects the computer from malware, a utility, so system.
Printer driver: lets the OS communicate with the printer, so system.
Presentation program: helps the user make slides, so application.