1. Software
System Software Application Software
System
Management
Programs
System
Support
Programs
System
Development
Programs
General Purpose
Application
Software
Special
Purpose
Application
Software
Software:
The set of computer programs, procedures and associated documents
(flowcharts, user manuals etc,), which describes the programs and how
they are to be used, whose objective is to enhance the capabilities of
H/W.
A Software can be divided into two major categories
System Software
System Software is a set of one or more programs, designed to control
the operation and extend the processing capability of a computer
system. System software makes the operation of computer more
effective and efficient. Actually, system software is any computer
software which manages and controls computer hardware so that
application software can perform a task.
In general system software performs following functions:
→System software performs tasks like transferring data from
memory to disk, or rendering (Representing) text onto a display
device.

2. →Specific kinds of system software include loading programs,
operating systems, device drivers, programming tools, compilers,
assemblers, linkers, and utility software.
→It supports development and execution of other application
software.
→It monitors the effective use of various hardware resources, such
as CPU, Memory, peripherals etc,.
→It communicates with and controls the operation of peripherals
devices, such as printer, disk, tape, etc.
→E.g:. Operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X or
Linux, are well-known examples of system software.
System software mainly includes 3 different types of programs:
(1) System Management Programs:
They manage Hardware and Software of computer system.
e.g. Operating Systems
(2) System Support Programs:
They provide support services to users. e.g. Utility Programs.
(3)System development Programs:
It helps developers in designing and building system. e.g.
Language translator (compiler, interpreter etc.)
Application Software
Application Software is a set of one or more programs, design to solve
specific problem, or to do a specific task. This application software can
be classified into two categories:
(1) General Purpose Application Software:
General purpose application software provides certain
generalized facilities. They are generally pre-written. e.g. Word
Processing (MS-Word), Spreadsheet Application (MS Excel),
Database Application packages etc.

3. (2) Special Purpose Application Software:
Application programs specific to certain area / users for their
specific requirement are called Special purpose application
software. They are custom build. e.g. Inventory management,
Payroll System etc.
Difference between System Software and Application Software
System Software Application Software
1 It is a set of one or
more programs,
designed to control and
co-ordinate the
operations of a
computer system.
1 It is a set of one or more
programs, designed to solve
specific problem or to do a
specific task.
2 It is machine oriented 2 It is user oriented.
3 It can execute without
help of other software
3 It generally takes the help of
system software to execute.
4 e.g. operating system,
utility software etc.
4 e.g. Student Management
system, Payroll System etc.