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What is the primary function of an Operating System?
What type of system software allows the OS to communicate with hardware devices?
What is the primary function of Utility Programs?
Where is Firmware typically stored?
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What is one of the characteristics of System Software?
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What is one of the functions of System Software?
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Study Notes
System Software
System software is a type of software that manages and controls a computer's hardware components and provides a platform for running application software.
Types of System Software:
- Operating System (OS): Manages computer hardware and provides a platform for running application software. Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Device Drivers: Allow the OS to communicate with hardware devices. Examples: printer drivers, graphics drivers.
- Utility Programs: Perform specific tasks, such as disk formatting, virus scanning, and backup and recovery. Examples: disk defragmenter, antivirus software.
- Firmware: Permanent software stored in the ROM (Read-Only Memory) of a hardware device. Examples: BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), UEFI ( Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).
Functions of System Software:
- Process Management: Manage the creation, execution, and termination of processes (programs).
- Memory Management: Manage the allocation and deallocation of memory for running programs.
- File Management: Provide a file system for storing and retrieving files.
- Input/Output (I/O) Management: Manage input/output operations between devices and programs.
- Security: Provide mechanisms for controlling access to computer resources.
Characteristics of System Software:
- Low-Level Programming: System software is typically written in low-level programming languages, such as assembly language or C.
- Hardware-Dependent: System software is specific to the type of hardware it is running on.
- Complexity: System software is often complex and requires a deep understanding of computer architecture and operating system principles.
Examples of System Software:
- Microsoft Windows: A popular operating system for personal computers.
- Apache Web Server: A web server software that manages and serves web pages.
- GRUB: A boot loader software that loads an operating system into memory.
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System Software
