Interaction of Software

The system software (e.g., the operating system) and the application software (e.g., a word processor) interact in order to perform tasks. 

For example, Microsoft Word is a type of application software. Everything you do within Word is controlled by Microsoft Word. However, when you drag a Word window around the desktop, it is handled by the operating system (in this case, Windows). The word processor (i.e., Microsoft Word) does not need to know where it is located on the screen. Windows takes care of that. 

Follow this example of software interaction:

Step 1: When a key (e.g., the letter "a") is pressed on the keyboard, a message is sent to the operating system. 

Step 2: The operating system sends the information to the word processor. The word processor places the "a" in the document and performs additional tasks such as formatting, spell-checking, and moving the cursor to the next space or line. 

Step 3: The results of Step 2 are communicated to the operating system. 

Step 4: The operating system displays the updates at the appropriate places on the screen.

Check Your Knowledge

Choose which type of software (i.e. "system" or "application") perform the following tasks:
Question 1
To save a file: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 2
To send a document to a printer: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 3
To edit a spreadsheet: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 4
To join a wireless network: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 5
To play solitaire: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 6
To create a presentation: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 7
To change a screen saver: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 8
To browse the internet: _______________
System software
Application software
Question 9
Which of the following shows an interaction among the four elements in the correct order of execution?
user – Windows – MS Word processor – printer
user – MS Word processor – Windows – printer
printer – MS Word processor – Windows – user
MS Word processor – printer – Windows - user