I’ve been trying to learn how computers actually work behind the scenes, and I keep seeing the term system software come up. I get that it’s not like normal apps we use every day, but I’m still a bit confused about what it really does.
Is it basically what keeps everything running smoothly in the background? And what happens if it’s not updated or working properly,does it actually slow the whole system down?
Would really appreciate a simple explanation or any real-life examples from people who understand it better.
I’m a little confused about your question and specifically why you are posting here. This forum is for topics related to the Wahoo company, and one thing Wahoo does is an app called “SYSTM” (note lack of E) that is meant primarily for doing cycling workouts but also has other workouts like yoga.
This use of “SYSTM” has nothing to do with your topic, “system software for a computer.” As an example, I’m typing this on an iPad Pro. This device runs “iPadOS” that makes everything work and is the “system software” for this device. So iPad = hardware; iPadOS = system software. Sort of “on top” of the system software, I’m running various apps. Right now I’m using the “Safari” web browser to read this forum and composed this response. At other times I will run other apps, like Messages to send text to friends, or the Wahoo SYSTM app to run a workout.
In the context of computing, different devices will have different operating systems. For example, if I’m using a Nintendo Switch, it has its own “system OS” that runs when you boot up, and from there you can run games like Zelda or Mario, etc. Some computers use Windows as their system OS, some use Linux, Chromebooks use Android, etc.
Anyway, “Wahoo SYSTM” is not “system software” but instead an app you run on some device with its own system. You’ve seemed to have confused multiple way of using the same word.
Yeah, that actually clears up a lot, thanks for taking the time to explain it properly.
I didn’t realize the term system software was being mixed up with that Wahoo app name, that’s where my confusion came from. Your example with iPadOS vs apps makes it much easier to understand,so basically the system software is the base layer that runs the whole device, and everything else sits on top of it.
Also the breakdown with different devices like Windows, Linux, and consoles helped a lot. I was kind of thinking of it in a more abstract way before, but now it makes sense that every device needs its own core system to manage everything underneath the apps.