Which term describes software responsible for the general operation of a computer system, including hardware operation, running applications, and file management?

Which term describes software responsible for the general operation of a computer system, including hardware operation, running applications, and file management?

• A. Software
• B. System Software
• C. Programming Software
• D. Application Software

Answer: (B)

System software covers the basic operations of a computer, coordinating hardware, managing resources, and providing services that support all software. It includes the operating system, device drivers, and utility programs that handle tasks such as booting, memory management, task scheduling, and file management. The described responsibilities—keeping hardware functioning, running applications, and organizing data—are exactly the jobs of system software, with the operating system at the center. In contrast, application software is designed for user tasks like word processing or web browsing, and programming software consists of tools used to create software, not to operate the computer itself.

System software covers the basic operations of a computer, coordinating hardware, managing resources, and providing services that support all software. It includes the operating system, device drivers, and utility programs that handle tasks such as booting, memory management, task scheduling, and file management. The described responsibilities—keeping hardware functioning, running applications, and organizing data—are exactly the jobs of system software, with the operating system at the center. In contrast, application software is designed for user tasks like word processing or web browsing, and programming software consists of tools used to create software, not to operate the computer itself.