Computers are managed by software. The software can be divided into three categories: system, utility, and application.
Let’s examine them more closely.
1. Computer programs
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 programs 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 programs
The system software includes utility software, which carries out particular functions to keep the machine running. There is constant background software activity. Programs for optimization and security are two examples of utility software.
Antivirus software is a component of security applications that scans for and eliminates infections. Although most computers come with antivirus programs, you can add your own.
Tools for system cleanup, disc defragmentation, and file compression may be included in optimization programs. Usually, the operating system consists of these tools in the installation process. To keep it organized, 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 programs that can perform various functions.
The operating system on your computer lets you add and remove applications.
The operating system receives regular instructions from the application software, such as a word processor, on loading and saving files from and to the hard drive. A file that you are working on is momentarily saved in the RAM. It is not written on the hard drive unless you decide to keep it.
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 program
Application software uses the operating system to communicate with other programs 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 program details about the key being pushed and the mouse, including its location, what it is clicking, and where it travels on the screen.
The operating system relies on application software to perform these functions and provide all of this data.
Open Source Software: What Is It?
One thing about open-source software that needs to be made clear is that it is not a do-it-yourself solution. It is preferable to leave this to the professionals since they can select an excellent, secure, and best-suited open-source solution for your needs if you’re looking for a company to assist you in creating a specific tool or piece of custom software.
I recently had the opportunity to have dinner with several of our team’s software developers. We spent a significant amount of time talking about the various facets of their work at Primitive. Open-source software was one of the many topics we discussed.