What is system software?

Software is divided into two major groups: application software and system software. Application software is associated with what users routinely work with on a daily basis to get their work accomplished.

System software is the set of instructions that control how the computer reacts. System software is commonly associated with the efficient and reliable functioning of the computer system. The system provides facilities and functions to allow applications to be developed and to operate.

General types of system software are the operating system, communications software, database software, and development software. The operating system allows the computer to interact with the application software.
What is system software?

Application specific software

Application programs are generally mass marketed and so the user will have a choice to make.

Application software can be classified into general purpose applications programs and application specific categories.

Program designed of perform specific jobs, such as calculating and executing a company’s payroll, are collectively called application-specific software. This type of software is written to perform specific tasks such as order entry, payroll, stock control, or hospitals appointments.

The software may be designed specifically for one particular company and written for them using a programming language or software such as database management system.

It requires much less time to program and because the programs are debugged by the manufacturer, usually requires much less time in the field to commission.

Programs for specific application can be built into chips and conversely embedded in appliances can be designed to be reprogrammed rather than replaced.

Application-specific software for science and engineering plays major role in the research and development programs of industry and the design of efficient production processes for high quality products.
Application specific software

Introduction to application software

Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks.

It is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform.

The programs fulfill a business need and require little or no coding on the part of the end user. It serves to control technical processes or support work processes.

This should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user.

In this context the term application refers to both the application software and its implementation.

The application software assist user tasks include personal management, note taking, project management, accounting, document management, computer aided design, audio and video editing, multimedia authoring. 

Application software ranges from powerful data processing systems used by the financial industry and scientist to computer-aided drawing (CAD) packages used in engineering and simple word processing software used in most offices and homes.

The implementation of application software requires a system base, normally consisting of hardware and the underlying system software.
Introduction to application software