The three categories of computer programmes

 

The three categories of computer programmes

The distinctions between computer software that can be used as a system, utility, and application are covered in this article.

Computers are managed by software. Software can be divided into three categories: system software, utility software, and application software.

Let's examine them more closely.

1. Computer programmes

The system software is the bottom layer if you think of software as having layers. It is located in between the hardware and the application software.

System software includes programmes like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. When a device starts up, operating systems are loaded into RAM and given access to the hard drive.

2. Useful programmes

The system software includes utility software, which carries out particular functions to keep the machine running. There is constantly background software activity. Programmes for optimisation and security are two examples of utility software.

Anti-virus software is a component of security programmes that checks for and eliminates infections. Although most computers come with some type of antivirus programme, you can add your own.

Tools for system cleanup, disc defragmentation, and file compression may be included in optimisation programmes. Usually, the operating system includes these tools in the installation process. To keep it organised, they have access to the hard disc.

3. Software applications

Everything else is like this! An application, often known as an app, is anything that is not an operating system or utility. As a result, application software includes tools like word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, and graphics programmes that can each do a variety of functions.

The operating system on your computer lets you add and remove applications.

The operating system receives regular instructions from application software, such as a word processor, on how to load and save files from and to the hard drive. A file that you are working on is momentarily saved in the RAM. It is not written to the hard drive unless you decide to save it.

This is why any changes you made but didn't save may be lost if the computer crashes while you're working on a file. The information kept in the RAM is brittle. When the RAM loses power, the data is lost.

The software programme

The operating system is used by application software to communicate with both other programmes and the computer's hardware. The operating system manages access to the internet and retrieves data from the web when a web browser requests a web page.

The operating system similarly gives the application programme details about the key being pushed and the mouse, including its location, what it is clicking, and where it is travelling on the screen.

The operating system significantly relies on application software to perform these functions and provide it all of this data.