TYPES OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Assemblers
Compliers
Interpreters
Macro Processors
Linkers
Loaders
Text Editors
Debuggers
Operating System
Data Base Management System

System Software

Language
Translators

Macro
Processors

Loaders

Linkers

Assemblers

Compliers

Debuggers

Text Editors

DBMS

Operating
System

Interpreters

Assembler: An Assembler is a system software that converts assembly language program into
machine language.
Thus, it acts as a translator. The input to an assembler is a program written in assembly language. It
is called source program. The output of an assembler is a program in machine language. It is known
as object program.

Assembly
language
program
(Source
Program)

Assembler

Machine
language
program
(Object
Program)

Compiler: A Compiler is another language translator that converts high level language into
machine language.
A compiler can translate only those source programs, which have been written in the language for
which the complier is meant. For example, FORTRAN complier will not compile source code
written in COBOL language.

High level
language
program
(Source
program)

Complier

Machine
language
program
(Object
Program)

The working of a complier is divided into different phases:1. Lexical analysis:-In this phase the source program is scanned sequentially and sequence of
tokens is produced. These tokens are classified into various classes.
2. Syntax analysis: -This phase recognizes the various syntactic constructions or phrases and
interprets the meaning of the constructions.
3. Intermediate code generation:-In this phase the complier generates intermediate form of source
program in form of parse trees, postfix notations or matrix.
4. Code optimization: - This phase optimizes the intermediate code so that the ultimate object
program runs faster and/or takes less space.

5. Storage allocation:-This phase assigns the memory locations to various variables, literals used in
the source program.
6. Code Generation: This phase generates the ultimate object code.

Interpreter

Interpreter is also a language translator, used for converting high level languages into machine code.
It takes one statement of a high level language and translates it into a machine instruction which is
immediately executed.

Macro Processor

Macro processor is system software that replaces the macro instruction with the corresponding
groups of source language statement that a macro represents.
Macro instruction is a single line abbreviation for a group of statements.
The use of macro processor arises when a source program contains a set of statements repeatedly.
Thus the function of macro processor is to substitute one group of statements for another at time of
compiling or assembling the program.
Macro processor is viewed as an extension to basic assembler algorithm.
A macro processor accepts an assembly program containing macro definitions and calls and
translates it into an assembly program which does not contain any macro definition or calls.

Linker
Linker is system software that combinations or links the various object modules in order to create
the executable form of the program.
The two main functions of a linker are:
To resolve external references
To perform relocation

Object
module 1

Object
module 2

Executable
module

Linker
Error
Message

Object
module n

Linker
Linker also produces error message if some external reference could not be resolved even after
consulting all the object modules.

Loader
A Loader is system software that places the programs into memory and prepares them for
execution.
Thus loading is a process of bringing an executable file produced by the linker from the secondary
storage to the primary storage in such a way that it can be executed by the operating system.

The main functions of loaders are:Allocation: - It provides space to the program into memory.
Relocation: - It adjusts all address dependent locations such as address constants.
Linking: - Link the various modules by adjusting symbolic references.
Loading: - Physically place the instructions and data into the memory.
text Editor: - A text editor is software that allows the user to input, delete, update and store
information such as data, programs and letters.
An interactive editor allows a user to create and revise a target document.
Editors are mostly used by the program developers.
Debuggers:-Debugging is an essential step in the software development process.
Debugger is a software tools that provides a controlled execution environment.
The most widely used debuggers are breakpoint debuggers.
Breakpoint debuggers allow a programmer to suspend a programs execution at a particular point
and then continue the program.
Thus, the usage of debugger comes once the program has been converted into the executable code
and is being tested.
Debugger is usually not a part of the language.

Operating system: - An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user of
a computer and the computer hardware.
The purpose of operating system is to provide an environment in which a user can execute programs
in a convenient and efficient manner.
Operating system is a first program that gets loaded into the memory through a process called
booting.
Its primary objective is to improve the performance and efficiency of a computer system and make
it user friendly.
The most common operating system are the windows family of operating system (windows 98,
windows 2000, NT, Vista and Windows7), UNIX.

Functions of Operating System:

The primary function of an operating system is to provide an environment for the execution of users
program.
The various functions of operating system are:Process Management
Main Memory Management
Secondary Storage Management
File Management
I/O management
Protection and Security
Networking
Command Interpretation
1. Process Management:-The process management refers to the assignment of processor to
different tasks being performed by the computer system. The process management schedules the
various process of a system for execution.
The operating system is responsible for the following activities in connection with process
management:
Creating and deleting both user and system processes
Suspending and resuming processes
Providing mechanisms for process synchronization such as semaphores
Providing mechanisms for process communication
Providing mechanisms for deadlock handling

2. Main Memory Management:-Memory is organized as a large array of words or bytes that stores
the user programs and instructions for execution.
In multi programming environment, several programs or processes are kept in main memory so as
to increase the CPU utilization and decrease the CPU response time.
In such a situation, where several programs reside in the main memory at the same time, memory
management is important. Different algorithms are possible for selecting a memory management
scheme.

3. Secondary Storage Management: - The secondary storage devices store system programs, such
as complier, editor and assembler and user programs that are not used frequently.
The operating system performs following functions in connection with disk management:Free space management
Storage allocation
Disk scheduling
4. File Management: - File is a storage unit and is a collection of information.
Files are categorized on the basis of information stored in it such as data file source file and object
file.
Data files represent the information in numeric, alaphabetic or alphanumeric mode.
Source files stores the code for programs and the object files are built on compiling the programs.
Files are stored onto storage devices such as hard disk, floppy and CD.
Files is grouped together into directories for users ease.
The operating system performs following functions in connection with file management:Creating and deleting files.
Creating and deleting directories.
5. Input/output Management: - I/O management refers to the condition and assignment of the
different input and output devices to the various programs that are being executed.
Thus, an OS is responsible for managing various I/O devices, such as keyboard, mouse, printer and
monitor.
6. Protection and Security:- Protection mechanisms controls the access of users, programs and
processes used by various applications.
Protection mechanisms are also used to provide protection to various resources such as memory
segments, files and CPU against unauthorized users.
Security deals with protecting the various resources and information of computer system against
destruction and unauthorized access.
A total approach to computer security involves both external and internal security.
7. Networking:-Networking is used for exchanging information among different computer that are
distributed across various locations.
Distributed systems consist of multiple processors and each processor has its own memory and
clock.

The various processors communicate using communication links, such as telephone lines or buses.
Bus is a collection of wires that runs parallel across the width of motherboard.
The processors in distributed system may vary in size and function.
Thus, a distributed system enables us to share the various resources of the network.
8. Command Interpretation:-The command interpreter is the basic interface between the
computer and the user.
Command interpreter provides a set of commands using which a user can give instruction to the
computer for getting some job done by it.
The various commands supported by command interpretation module are known as system calls.
There are two different user interfaces supported by various operating systems:Command line interface
Graphical user interface
Command Line Interface: - It is the textual user interface in which user gives instruction to
computer by typing the commands.
Graphical User Interface:-GUI provides the user a screen full of graphical icons or menus and
allows the user to make a rapid selection from the displayed icons or menus to give instruction to
computer.

Data Base Management System (DBMS):- Database Management System is a software tool that
allows user to define and maintain a database and provide controlled access to the data.
DBMS is a collection of interrelated data and a set of programs to access those data.
A DBMS is a collection of programs that enables users to store, modify and extract information
from a database as per requirements.
There is five major components of database system environment hardware, software, data, users and
procedures.

Various examples of database applications are:

1. Computerized Library System
2. Automated Teller Machines (ATM)
3. Flight Reservation Systems
4. Computerized parts inventory systems