CodeIEB
Theory Notes/🖥️ Topic 1: System Technologies/10.1.6
10.1.6Grade 10

Types of System Software & Licensing Models

System software is anything that manages or supports the computer itself, rather than doing user-facing tasks directly. This subtopic also introduces how software is legally distributed.

System software includes:

  • Operating systems — manage the overall computer (see 10.1.5).
  • Utilities — small programs that perform maintenance tasks, e.g. antivirus software, disk cleanup tools, file compression tools.
  • Drivers — software that allows the OS to communicate with a specific piece of hardware (e.g. a printer driver).
  • Programming tools and related applications — software used by developers to write, test and debug programs, e.g. a compiler, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
Source code
The human-readable instructions a programmer writes, in a language like Java or Python.
Executable code / bytecode
The form source code is translated into so a computer can actually run it — either directly executable machine code, or bytecode that runs on a virtual machine (e.g. the Java Virtual Machine).

Distribution and licensing models describe the legal terms under which software is made available:

ModelDescription
Open source softwareSource code is publicly available; users may view, modify and redistribute it (often for free), subject to a license.
Proprietary softwareSource code is private/closed; the company retains all rights, and usage is restricted by a paid license (e.g. Microsoft Office).
FreewareAvailable for free, but the source code is not necessarily open, and the copyright owner retains all rights.
Freemium softwareA free basic version is offered, with payment required to unlock additional/premium features.
Creative CommonsA licensing framework (not exclusive to software) that lets creators specify exactly how others may use, share or adapt their work, while still retaining some rights.

💡 Exam Tip

Exam questions often give a scenario and ask you to identify the licensing model — look for keywords: 'source code available' → open source; 'basic version free, pay for extra features' → freemium.