system software
Computer's foundational programs
System software is the foundational programming that manages a computer's basic operations and hardware—the operating system, device drivers, and utilities that let application software run.
Unlike apps that perform specific tasks for users, system software works in the background: Windows and macOS are system software; Word and Chrome are not.
Seed or essential core
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
- BIOSBoot-up initialization firmware
- bootloaderInitial startup program
- filesystemData storage organization scheme
device driver · shell · command line · utility · scheduler · memory management · resource allocation · disk management
Emulated computer system
- hypervisorVirtual machine management layer
- containerizationStandardized cargo packaging system
- emulationCopying to rival
- sandboxEnclosed play area
Software enabling hardware communication
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
- printer driverSoftware linking computer to output device
- graphics driverSoftware enabling GPU operation
- USB driverSoftware for peripheral recognition
plug and play · driver update · input device · device manager
Source-to-machine-code translator
- linkerCombiner of separate parts
- debuggerSoftware error-locating tool
- interpreterOne who conveys meaning between languages
- assemblerConverts assembly to executable
runtime · loader · SDK · API · binary · executable · object code · code generation
Process of putting in
- configurationArrangement of parts
- updatesNewly provided information
- patchesPieces sewn over holes
- upgradesImproved replacement versions
maintenance · backup · recovery · provisioning · deployment · user permissions · troubleshooting · registry
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- latencyDelay in system response
- cachingTemporary local storage
- load balancingDistributing work across resources
benchmarking · profiling · garbage collection · response time · bottleneck · task prioritization · power management
kernel
Seed or essential core
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
- BIOSBoot-up initialization firmware
- bootloaderInitial startup program
filesystem · device driver · shell · command line · utility · scheduler · memory management · resource allocation · disk management · boot sequence
virtual machine
Emulated computer system
- hypervisorVirtual machine management layer
- containerizationStandardized cargo packaging system
- emulationCopying to rival
device driver
Software enabling hardware communication
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
- printer driverSoftware linking computer to output device
- graphics driverSoftware enabling GPU operation
USB driver · plug and play · driver update · input device · device manager
compiler
Source-to-machine-code translator
- linkerCombiner of separate parts
- debuggerSoftware error-locating tool
- interpreterOne who conveys meaning between languages
assembler · runtime · loader · SDK · API · binary · executable · object code · code generation · toolchain
installation
Process of putting in
- configurationArrangement of parts
- updatesNewly provided information
- patchesPieces sewn over holes
upgrades · maintenance · backup · recovery · provisioning · deployment · user permissions · troubleshooting · registry · safe mode
optimization
Maximizing efficiency or performance
- throughputProcessing rate over time
- latencyDelay in system response
- cachingTemporary local storage
load balancing · benchmarking · profiling · garbage collection · response time · bottleneck · task prioritization · power management
system softwareapps
Mobile software, briefly
applications · productivity software · word processors · mobile apps · video games
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