What is System Software
System software is responsible for controlling, integrating and managing the hardware components of a computer system, providing a friendly environment for users to run other software applications.
System software is a set of software programs that allow the user to interact with devices without getting lost in the technical complexity of the equipment. These programs are the basis of the software architecture, including the parts that regulate input/output functions.
System software includes operating systems, device drivers, servers, window systems, and utility programs. Allowing to coordinate all the internal or external devices of the computer such as printer, mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.
System software is copied to the computer when you install the operating system. You can update system software by running programs such as “Windows Update” in Windows or “Software Update” in Mac OS X. Since system software runs at the most basic level of the computer, it is also known as as “low-level” software.
There are four basic categories into which system software can be classified:
- Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is the bootloader that defines the firmware interface and loads the operating system;
- Device firmware controls the operation and performance of computer equipment;
- Operating system (OS) that allows the user to interact with internal hardware and devices, acting as the platform between the computer and other software applications;
- Utility software that regulates the functionality of the equipment by analyzing its performance, configuration and optimization of processes.
