Software classification

System Software

It consists of several programs, which are directly responsible for controlling, integrating and managing the individual hardware components of a computer system. A new computer system is always accompanied with some software either stored in a CD or DVD, which is supplied by the manufacturer. This software manages and supports the computer system and its information processing activities. System software is more transparent and less noticed by the users, as it usually interacts with the hardware or the applications. This software provides a programming environment in which programmers can create applications to accommodate their needs. This environment provides functions that are not available at the hardware level and performs the tasks related to the execution of an application program. Hence, system software acts as an interface between the hardware of the computer and the software applications. In simple terms, system software makes the computer functional. It provides basic functionality such as file management, visual display and keyboard input and it is used by application software to accomplish these functions. Some examples of system software are operating system (OS), device drivers, language translators and system utilities.

Application Software

It is used to accomplish specific tasks rather than just managing a computer system. For a user, the computer system has no specific use without the application software. It may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft’s Notepad (for writing and editing simple text) or a collection of programs, which work together to accomplish a task such as database management software. Application software may also include a larger collection of related but independent programs and packages (a software suite), which have a common user interface or shared data format, such as Microsoft Office Suite. However, application software is dependent on system software. Thus, system software (such as operating system) acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware, while application software performs specific tasks. Application software ranges from games, calculators and word processors (documentcreating programs), to programs that paint images on screen (image editors). Some examples of application software are word processors, spreadsheets, image editor, database management system, presentation applications and desktop publishing software.

Ex: Microsoft Word, spreadsheets, VLC media player, Firefox or Google Chrome, accounting applications, photo editor, mobile apps

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operating system

An operating system acts as an intermediary between the user of a computer and computer hardware. The purpose of an operating system is to provide an environment in which a user can execute programs conveniently and efficiently. 

An operating system is a software that manages computer hardware. The hardware must provide appropriate mechanisms to ensure the correct operation of the computer system and to prevent user programs from interfering with the proper operation of the system. 

Utility software

These software analyzes and maintain a computer. These software are focused on how OS works on that basis it perform task to enable smooth functioning of computer. These software may come along with OS like windows defender, windows disk cleanup tool. 

Antivirus, backup software, file manager, disk compression tool all are utility software. 

Some of the popular utility software are described below 

Antivirus:It is used to protect a computer from the virus. It detects a virus and notify the user and take action to secure the computer. The virus are kept in different location called vault where it has different file system due to which virus effect it. User can itself instruct antivirus to delete malicious program, put it in vault or even ignore it. These days most come in GUI form. 

The first antivirus program appeared in 1987 with the introduction of an antivirus program from G Data Software for the Atari ST. Later in the same year, VirusScan was introduced by John McAfee, which later became the McAfee antivirus program.