Differentiate between the two major types of software and describe the general functions of the operating system.

Differentiate between the two major types of software and describe the general functions of the operating system.



Answer: Software consists of computer programs (coded instructions) that control the functions of computer hardware. There are two main categories of software: Systems software and application software. Systems software manages the hardware resources of the computer system; it functions between the hardware and the application software. The major type of systems software is the operating system. Application software enables users to perform specific tasks and information-processing activities. Application software may be proprietary or open source.
Operating systems manage the actual computer resources (i.e., the hardware). They schedule and process applications (jobs); manage and protect memory; manage the input and output functions and hardware; manage data and files; and provide security, fault tolerance, and graphical user interfaces.

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