Categories of Software


Software can be broadly classified into three categories:

 1.System Software
2.Application Software
3.Service Software

1.System Software

System Software consists of several programs,which are directly responsible for controlling, integrating,and managing the hardware components of a computer system.
System software act as an interface between the user and the computer.It makes the operation of the computer system more effective and efficient.the programs that constitute the system software are called system programs.

 Features of System software:

 1.It allows the use of system programming.
2.Fast in speed.
3.It is machine dependent.
4.They are difficult to manipulate.
5.They are very difficult to design.
6.Usually handles complex tasks.

2.Application Software:

Application software is a set of program designed to solve the specific functions of the user.For example,An application software designed for word processing may be used to create,view,edit,format and print documents.The set of programs included in the application software packages are called application programs.

 Features of application programs:

 1.It is closer to the user
2.It is slower in speed.
3.It is machine independent.
4.They are easy to use and manipulate.
5.They are easier to design.
6.They are usually handles simple jobs.

3.Service Software:

The service software of the utility software is a software generally provided by the vendors as a ready-made package to do some specific operations.They are used to support,enhance and secure exciting programs and data in the computer system.They are generally small programs,having specific tasks to perform.

 The various services provided by the service software are:

 1.File management.
2.Disk Management utility.
3.Backup utility.
4.Data recovery software.
5.Screen savers.
6.File compression. 
categories of software
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