Both application software and system software are needed for a computer to function. System software like the operating system communicates directly with hardware, while application software relies on system software to run. The relationship between the two is critical, as application software cannot run without the support of system software and hardware.

1. Application Software and System
Software
An application is a program or group of programs designed for end users. Application
software can be divided into two general classes: systems software and applications software.
Systems software consists of low-level programs that interact with the computer at a very basic
level. This includes operating systems, compilers, and utilities for managing computer resources.
System software applications are those applications that play a direct role in integrating the
various capabilities of a computer. However, a system software program does not usually apply
the capabilities of a computer directly to the performance of the task at hand. In that sense, it can
be said to be in direct contrast to an application software program.
An operating system can also be defined as the platform on which a personal computer is
run. In the absence of an operating system, the computer would only display a typed code, which
is not easy to comprehend. Some common examples of application software programs are word
processors, spreadsheets and media players. Operating systems directly communicate with the
hardware. In contrast, applications software (also called end-user programs) includes database
programs, word processors, and spreadsheets. Figuratively speaking, applications software sits
on top of systems software because it is unable to run without the operating system and system
utilities.

2. Critical relationship between
application Software and System
Software
For a computer to produce useful output its hardware and software must work together. Nothing
useful can be done with the hardware on its own, and software cannot be utilized without
supporting hardware.
To take an analogy, a cassette player and its cassettes purchased from the market are hardware.
However, the songs recorded on the cassettes are its software. To listen to a song, that song has
to be recorded on one of the cassettes first, this is then mounted on the cassette player and played.
Similarly, to get a job done by a computer, the corresponding software has to be loaded in the
hardware first and then executed.
Important points regarding the relationship between hardware and software are:
Both hardware and software are necessary for a computer to do useful job. Both are
complementary to each other.
Same hardware can be loaded with different software to make a computer perform
different types of jobs just as different songs can be played using the same cassette player.
Except for upgrades (like increasing main memory and hard disk capacities, or adding
speakers, modems, etc.); hardware is normally a one- time expense, whereas software is a
continuing expense. Like we buy new cassettes for newly released songs or for songs
whose cassettes, we do not have, we buy, new software to be run on the same hardware
as and when need arises, or funds become available.

3. Names:
Nakia Biggs
Tasheka Dailey
Iresha Frank
Nadine Gordon Lyba
Nevine Myrie
Sackera Smith
Samantha Bryan
Tajae Murray
Teacher:Miss Williams
Institution: Lionel Town Community Training Institute Due Date: 09/04/13