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What Is the Main Difference Between System and Application Software?
System software manages hardware resources and provides platforms, while application software handles user-specific tasks, highlighting their interdependent roles in computing environments.
Question
What is the main difference between system software and application software?
A. System software requires direct interaction with users, while application software does not.
B. System software manages computer resources, while application software performs specific tasks for users.
C. System software is installed by users, while application software comes pre-installed on computers.
D. System software is always open-source, while application software is always proprietary.
Answer
B. System software manages computer resources, while application software performs specific tasks for users.
Explanation
System software acts as the intermediary layer controlling hardware resources like memory allocation, CPU scheduling, file systems, and device drivers (e.g., operating systems, utilities), creating a stable platform that enables application software to execute user-oriented functions such as document editing, web browsing, or data analysis without direct hardware management. Application software depends entirely on this foundational layer for execution, focusing on domain-specific productivity rather than system-level operations, which distinguishes their roles and prevents overlap—unlike reversed interaction claims (A), installation myths (C), or licensing generalizations (D).