system software

System software is a generic term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a task. It is an essential part of the computer system. An operating system is an obvious example, while an OpenGL or database library are less obvious examples. System software contrasts with application software, which are programs that help the end-user to perform specific, productive tasks, such as word processing or image manipulation.
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Application-independent software that supports the running of application software.

<operating system> Any software required to support the production or execution of application programs but which is not specific to any particular application.
System software typically includes an operating system to control the execution of other programs; user environment software such as a command-line interpreter, window system, desktop; development tools for building other programs such as assemblers, compilers, linkers, libraries, interpreters, cross-reference generators, version control, make; debugging, profiling and monitoring tools; utility programs, e.g. for sorting, printing, and editting.
Different people would classify some or all of the above system software as part of the operating system while others might say the operating system was just the kernel.
(1997-09-22)