System software versus application software

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Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

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

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

3. Which of these is an example of system software?

A Operating system

B Web browser

4. Which of these is an example of application software?

A Antivirus utility

B Spreadsheet program

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

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Windows, macOS, Linux		AAntivirus 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.
2Word processor, spreadsheet, web browser		BSystem software: it manages the computer's own needs such as memory, files and peripherals
3Application software cannot run without the operating system, because it depends on the OS to access memory, files and hardware		CDefragmenter = computer \| Photo editor = user
4A service the computer requires (system software) compared with a service the user requires (application software)		DApplication software: it does tasks the user wants, and needs system software to run
5Antivirus = application software, because the user installs it		EGame -> Operating system -> Hardware
6A web browser can run with no operating system		FApplication software always needs system software. A web browser cannot run without an operating system.

Definitions

System software vs application software

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

Serves the computer: ______ software

Serves the user: ___________ software

Apps cannot run without the __

Antivirus utility = ______ software

Needs OS to run? System: No, App: ___

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A app ← "Word processor"

B type ← "application"

C serves ← "the user"

D needsOS ← FALSE

Question 2

A sw ← "Operating system"

B type ← "application"

C serves ← "the computer"

Question 3

A IF type = "system" THEN

B OUTPUT "Serves the computer"

C ELSE

D OUTPUT "Serves the computer"

E ENDIF

Question 4

A sys ← ["OS", "Browser"]

B app ← ["Browser", "Game"]

C OUTPUT sys

D OUTPUT app

Question 5

A serves ← "the computer"

B software ← "Spreadsheet"

C type ← "application"

D OUTPUT software, type, serves

Answer Key

System software versus application software

Section A: Quick Questions

A — It manages and runs the computer itself, such as an operating system

B — It carries out tasks the user wants to do, such as word processing

A — Operating system

B — Spreadsheet program

A — False: it depends on the operating system to run

Section B: 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.

Section C: Definitions

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.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

Serves the computer: system software

Serves the user: application software

Apps cannot run without the OS

Antivirus utility = system software

Needs OS to run? System: No, App: Yes

Section E: Spot the Error

D — Application software cannot run without system software. A word processor needs the operating system, so needsOS should be TRUE.

B — An operating system is system software, not application software. The line should be type ← "system".

D — The ELSE branch handles application software, which serves the user's needs. It should output "Serves the user".

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.

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".