The definition of system software

News and Special Offers occasional. System Software. Techopedia Explains System Software. What Does System Software Mean? System software is a platform comprised of Operating System OS programs and services, including settings and preferences, file libraries and functions used for system applications.

System software also includes device drivers that run basic computer hardware and peripherals. Because system software runs in the background at a basic level, it is considered low-level software. No, this is not possible until we install the operating system on it. It is necessary to install as it performs the following functions:. So, they keep on evolving. Programming Language Translators are those who convert the high-level language and middle-level language into machine language as machine understands only its language.

The high-level language is the language through which the user interacts with the computer. Machine language is the code which is understood by the processor only.

The average human being cannot be able to understand it. Some famous translators are Compiler, Interpreter and assembler. They are designed by the manufacturers of the computer. Translators can completely translate the code into machine code at once, or they can do it line by line. Translators also help in various tasks like:. So, we can make the required changes. Driver software is a type of system software so that we can use our devices smoothly without any troubleshooting problem.

This type of software enables the components to perform their tasks as directed by the OS. There are some examples of devices which requires drivers:. Some tools are there, whose drivers are already installed on the computer by default for ex-mouse, keyboard and touchpad. If the device is new for the operating system like the printer , then we have to install the drivers so that it get familiar with the OS.

We can install them from the websites of the manufacturers or some other alternative source like from the internet. The task of the firmware is to directly manage and control all the activities of any single hardware.

Traditionally, firmware was installed on the non-volatile chips. We can upgrade them by changing with the new programmed chips. However, nowadays, firmware was installed on the flash chips. So, now we can upgrade them without swapping the chips. Unlike application programs , however, system software is not meant to be run by the end user.

For example, while you might use your Web browser every day, you probably don't have much use for an assembler program unless, of course, you are a computer programmer. Since system software runs at the most basic level of your computer, it is called "low-level" software. It generates the user interface and allows the operating system to interact with the hardware. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about what the system software is doing since it just runs in the background.

It's nice to think you are working at a "high-level" anyway. The definition of System Software on this page is an original TechTerms. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, you can use the green citation links above. The goal of TechTerms.