System Software is a set of programs that manage the resources of a computer system i.e. processing time, storage space etc. so that they are used in an optimal fashion, provide routine services such as copying data from one file to another and assist in the development of application programs. System software programs assist the computer in the efficient control, support, development and execution of application programs.
System software began to be used with the second generation computers. In this, the operation of a computer was primarily controlled by human operators. Human intervention wasted large amounts of computer time and human resources. To automate these functions, companies developed programs called operating systems. These programs are stored partially in primary storage and partially in direct-access secondary storage devices so the computer can access them immediately when they are needed. Operating systems manage a queue of jobs that are awaiting execution, can be read onto a disk. The operating systems will start each job when system resources are available for its execution.
System software can be classified into three types:
1. System control programs: These programs control the execution of programs, manage the storage and processing resources to the computer and perform other management and monitoring functions. The most common programs are an operating system, database management systems and communication monitors.
2. System support programs: These programs provide routine service functions to the other computer programs and computer utters. Utilities, librarians, performance monitors and job accounting are the most common examples.
3. System development programs: These programs assist in the creation of application programs. The language translators such as BASIC interpreter and application generators are the examples. System software’s are developed by system programmers and sold by both computer companies and specialized software firms.
