← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

System software versus application software

System software runs the computer itself, e.g. the OS. Application software does jobs for the user, e.g. a word processor, and cannot run without system software.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 6

Understanding System software versus application software in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The arrow chain shows the application sits on top of the OS, which passes its requests down to the hardware. A utility such as a defragmenter keeps the computer working, while a photo editor does a job the user chooses. System software serves the computer's own needs, for example managing memory, files and peripherals. Tasks that the user wants done are handled by application software.

Common mistakes: Application software cannot run without system software. A word processor needs the operating system, so needsOS should be TRUE. An operating system is system software, not application software. The line should be type ← "system".

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Learning
Duo
Which statement describes system software?
It manages and runs the computer itself, such as an operating systemIt helps the user write essays, edit photos or play games
Matches
Antivirus = application software, because the user installs it
↓
Antivirus is utility software, which is system software. Installing something does not make it application software; what matters is that it serves the computer's needs.
Applying
Meanings
Term
System software vs application software
Meaning
System software runs the computer itself, e.g. the OS. Application software does jobs for the user, e.g. a word processor, and cannot run without system software.
Practice
// System software serves the computer
Testing
Gaps
Serves the computer: software
Check Answer
Spots
3serves ← "the user"
4needsOS ← FALSE

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Quick Questions

1. Which statement describes system software?
A. It manages and runs the computer itself, such as an operating system ✓
B. It helps the user write essays, edit photos or play games
System software serves the computer's own needs, for example managing memory, files and peripherals. Tasks that the user wants done are handled by application software.
2. Which statement describes application software?
A. It manages the computer's memory and hardware for its own needs
B. It carries out tasks the user wants to do, such as word processing ✓
Application software serves the user's needs. Managing memory and hardware is the job of system software.
3. Which of these is an example of system software?
A. Operating system ✓
B. Web browser
An operating system is system software. A web browser is application software because it does a job for the user.
4. Which of these is an example of application software?
A. Antivirus utility
B. Spreadsheet program ✓
A spreadsheet is application software used to calculate and organise data. Utility software such as antivirus is a type of system software.
5. True or false: application software can run without any system software.
A. False: it depends on the operating system to run ✓
B. True: it talks to the hardware by itself
Application software needs the operating system, which provides a platform for it to run and access memory, storage and peripherals.

Match the Pairs

Windows, macOS, Linux → System software: it manages the computer's own needs such as memory, files and peripherals
Word processor, spreadsheet, web browser → Application software: it does tasks the user wants, and needs system software to run
Application software cannot run without the operating system, because it depends on the OS to access memory, files and hardware → Game -> Operating system -> Hardware
A service the computer requires (system software) compared with a service the user requires (application software) → Defragmenter = computer | Photo editor = user
Antivirus = application software, because the user installs it → Antivirus is utility software, which is system software. Installing something does not make it application software; what matters is that it serves the computer's needs.
A web browser can run with no operating system → Application software always needs system software. A web browser cannot run without an operating system.

Key Term

System software vs application software
System software runs the computer itself, e.g. the OS. Application software does jobs for the user, e.g. a word processor, and cannot run without system software.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Serves the computer: system software
Hint: Type the kind of software that runs the computer itself.
2. Serves the user: application software
Hint: Type the kind of software that does jobs for the user, such as a word processor.
3. Apps cannot run without the OS
Hint: Type the abbreviation for the system software that applications depend on.
4. Antivirus utility = system software
Hint: Type the software category that utilities belong to because they look after the computer.
5. Needs OS to run? System: No, App: Yes
Hint: Type whether application software needs the operating system in order to run.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A app ← "Word processor"
B type ← "application"
C serves ← "the user"
D needsOS ← FALSE
Line D — Application software cannot run without system software. A word processor needs the operating system, so needsOS should be TRUE.
Question 2
A sw ← "Operating system"
B type ← "application"
C serves ← "the computer"
Line B — An operating system is system software, not application software. The line should be type ← "system".
Question 3
A IF type = "system" THEN
B OUTPUT "Serves the computer"
C ELSE
D OUTPUT "Serves the computer"
E ENDIF
Line D — The ELSE branch handles application software, which serves the user's needs. It should output "Serves the user".
Question 4
A sys ← ["OS", "Browser"]
B app ← ["Browser", "Game"]
C OUTPUT sys
D OUTPUT app
Line A — A web browser is application software, so it does not belong in the system software list. The list should hold system software such as the OS and a driver.
Question 5
A serves ← "the computer"
B software ← "Spreadsheet"
C type ← "application"
D OUTPUT software, type, serves
Line A — A spreadsheet is application software, which does jobs for the user. System software is the type that serves the computer. The line should be serves ← "the user".

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