järjestelmänohjelmat

Järjestelmänohjelmat, often translated as system software, refers to the computer programs that provide the essential infrastructure and control for a computer system. Unlike application software, which is designed for end-user tasks such as word processing or browsing the web, system software operates in the background, managing the computer's hardware and software resources. The primary purpose of system software is to create a platform on which application programs can run efficiently.

The most prominent example of system software is the operating system (OS). The OS manages the computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, and input/output devices. It also provides a user interface, allowing humans to interact with the computer. Other critical components of system software include device drivers, which enable the OS to communicate with specific hardware components, and utility programs, which perform maintenance and management tasks like disk defragmentation or virus scanning. Firmware, embedded directly into hardware, can also be considered a form of system software, providing low-level control for hardware operations. Together, these system programs form the foundational layer that makes a computer functional and usable.