System Software helps the computer and its accessories to function efficiently.
System Software is a program or utility that works “behind-the-scenes”. Think of system software as a program that works to get your computer and application programs can run smoothly.
An Operating system is the main type of System software.
OPERATING SYSTEM – a system software
An operating system is a set of instructions that make the computer and applications communicate and run smooth.
Have you ever heard someone say, “Hey I just bought a MacBook” or “I use a Windows 10 PC” or how about ” I have an iPhone X” or “I have a Samsung S10”. Each is a type of operating system.
OTHER SYSTEM SOFTWARE
An operating system is the most well-known and biggest system software that help our system run and operate. But there are many others that help manage the system. We will look at some of them here.
BIOS – Ever wondered what happens as soon as you switch on the computer? There is a set of instructions installed on a chip on the motherboard to get things started as soon as you turn on your computer. This set of instructions is firmly installed and cannot be uninstalled or modified easily and is called BIOS. BASIC INPUT-OUTPUT SYSTEM. BIOS instructions execute as soon as you switch on the computer, to make sure the hardware is working and loads the operating system.
The OS takes over for the BIOS once it is loaded. BIOS is a type of program called “firmware“, which is very important system software that cannot be erased or updated easily.
Everything today – from Refrigerator, microwave, home security to automobiles have some kind of embedded software or firmware in them. This is system software.
DEVICE “DRIVERS” – Device drivers are instructions that tell a computer’s software how to work with its hardware ‘devices’, such as keyboards, game controllers, and monitors. When a new device connects to your machine, it usually requires a driver to work with your OS. Many modern hardware devices install drivers automatically once you install or plug them in. These devices are called plug-and-play since they let you start using them as soon as they are plugged in.
