NIMCET 2026
A system administrator is analysing the software layers of a corporate computer. Which of the following statements correctly distinguish system software from application software?I.Device drivers are classified as application software because end-users install them to run devices.II.Linux, macOS and Android are operating systems and are classified as system software.III.The OS kernel manages CPU scheduling, memory allocation and hardware access on behalf of programs.IV.A web browser and a word processor are examples of system software because they help users perform common tasks.
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Answer: Option B — II and III only
Detailed Solution
I — wrong: device drivers are system software (they let the OS control hardware).
II — correct: operating systems are system software.
III — correct: this is exactly the kernel's job.
IV — wrong: browsers and word processors are application software.
Hence II and III only.
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Software - System & Applications — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Software - System & Applications, a key topic in the Computer Awareness section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
Software is the set of programs that tells a computer what to do. It is broadly divided into system software and application software. System software manages the hardware and provides a platform for other programs. It includes operating systems, device drivers, utility programs such as antivirus and disk cleanup tools, and language translators such as compilers, interpreters and assemblers. Application software helps users carry out specific tasks, such as word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, media players and accounting packages. Exam questions test classifying a given program as system or application software, the differences between a compiler and an interpreter, and terms such as open-source software, freeware, shareware and proprietary software. Remember that a compiler translates the whole program at once, while an interpreter translates and runs it line by line. Practise the software questions below. Each answer includes an explanation.