4.1 · Lesson 1 of 4
System and application software
Syllabus 4.1.1Syllabus 4.1.3
What this lesson covers
- Compare system software and application software
- Explain how hardware, firmware and the OS run applications
Key vocabulary
- Hardware
- The physical parts of a computer.
- Software
- The programs (sets of instructions) that run on a computer.
- System software
- Software that provides the services the computer needs, including the operating system and utility software.
- Application software
- Software that provides the services the user needs, e.g. a word processor.
- Operating system
- System software that manages the hardware and provides a platform for applications to run on.
- Utility software
- System software that maintains, protects and optimises the computer, e.g. anti-virus.
- Firmware
- Software stored in ROM or flash memory that runs on the hardware, including the bootloader.
- Bootloader
- Firmware that loads the operating system into memory when the computer is switched on.
Check your learning
- Quick check: 4 questions
- Key vocabulary test: 8 terms
- Activity 1: System or application? · drag and drop
- Activity 2: Utilities and layers · 8 questions
- Activity 3: Types of software quiz · 8 questions