Utility definition and meaning collins english dictionary. However, utilities often form part of the application systems. Operating systems contain a number of utilities for managing disk drives, printers, and other devices utilities differ from applications mostly in terms of size, complexity and function. It is a program that performs a specific task, which is usually related to managing the system resources. Utility software definition and meaning collins english. In economics utility is the capacity of a commodity to satisfy human wants. These include antivirus, backup, disk repair, file management, security, and networking programs. Examples include disk utilities like defragmenters, compressors and cleaners. System software is computer software which is used to control and coordinate the computer hardware and to provide a environment for executing application software. Utilities can also be applications such as screensavers, font and icon tools, and. Encryption software can be based on either public key or symmetric key encryption. That means it usually includes a license for programmers to change the software in any way they choose. Utility software is a system that helps set up, analyze, strengthen and maintain a computer.
Below is a list of many different utility program categories. Disk defragmenters, system profilers, network managers, application launchers, antivirus software, backup software, disk repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, file manager, file compression, data security and many more. A utility or software utility is computer system software intended to. These are designed to help, analyze, configure and maintain computer systems. A list of different types of computer software with examples. Basics of computers utility software tutorialspoint. This type of utility software was first introduced in windows xp to replace the fdisk command. Like windows file explorer is a file management tool. Computer dictionary definition of what utility means, including related links.
It is associated with cloud computing and services that allow customers to scale up and down their use of resources as required. Utility software, today, is among the most efficient and major types of software available to the industry and hence, its use has increased tremendously over the years. These are builtin into operating systems as well as available as standalone products like security suits. A utility or software utility is computer system software intended to analyze, configure, monitor, or help maintain a computer. The print utility that comes with the operating system is an example. The list of 10 best utility software is given below. In learning about computers, the first step usually is to understand the major types of software, their uses, and applications. A utility is intended for a wide range of users, rather than an app application program which might be intended to serve a specific purpose for specific users. It is used to support the computer infrastructure in contrast to application software, which is aimed at directly performing tasks that benefit ordinary users. Various examples of system software are operating systemos, bios, device firmware, certain system utility software which helps to configure, optimize and maintain the computer. Utility programs have many other names and get known as either a service, utility software or just as system software. This chemical has no utility as an agricultural fertilizer.
For example, a batch job may run userwritten code to update a database and may then include a step that runs a utility to back up the database, or a job may run a utility t. For example, you may want to compress a file to let you save it on to a flash drive. A utility program is designed to do one or perhaps two tasks very well and nothing else. In the following sections, we present a list of computer software and their examples, categorized according to their different types. Its not absolutely required to run programs and, if it didnt come with the operating system, you could perhaps add it. Utility software article about utility software by the. This last appendix is useful, however its utility could have been improved by including a world wide web address for each of these companies. A utility software is actually a kind of computer software which is designed to help in management and tuning of computer hardware, operating system and application software. It is a program that is designed to perform specific tasks that help in making the device work better and keeping the environment safe. Examples of some of the commonly used utility software may include the following.
These software are focused on how os works on that basis it perform task to enable smooth functioning of computer. Opensource software oss is any computer software thats distributed with its source code available for modification. Utility software simple english wikipedia, the free. Utility programs are used for the management of computer systems and also perform maintenance types tasks.
An example of utility software is a system that helps a user set up a brand new computer. Utility software can be seen in many operating systems to day e. Examples of utility programs are antivirus software, backup software and disk tools. Utility computing is a business model that charges customers for computing, memory and bandwidth based on how much is used. Another way to classify software encryption is to categorize its purpose. They can fix bugs, improve functions, or adapt the software to suit their own needs. Some of the examples of the utility programs utilities include. For example, a utility program may handle computer files or guard against computer viruses. Disk defragmenters system profilers virus scanners application launchers. A kind of system software which is designed to help you configure, optimize, analyze and maintain the computer is known as utility software. Usually, a utility is smaller than a standard program in size and may be included with an operating system or installed separately.
Quite often, a utility program is built right in to the operating system. Utility programs, commonly referred to as just utilities, are software programs that add functionality to your computer or help your computer perform better. Utility software is a program that provides services to the users in simple words. Antivirus, backup software, file manager, disk compression tool all are utility software. Information and translations of utility software in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Types of utility software and their usage vents magazine. Teachict as level ict ocr exam board types of software. For example, a batch job may run userwritten code to update a database and may then include a. If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications. The first step to becoming a successful entrepreneur is to. Such software provides remote access to systems and transmits files in a multitude of formats between computers.
Utility software is software designed to help to analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a computer. A single piece of utility software is normally described as utility or tool. Utility software dictionary definition utility software defined. Utility is an economic term introduced by daniel bernoulli referring to the total satisfaction received from consuming a good or service. Disk defragmenters, system profilers, network managers, application launchers, antivirus. Communication software forms a part of communication systems with software components classified according to functions. System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computers hardware and application programs. Utility program definition, system software used to perform standard operations, as sorting data or copying data from one file to another, for application programs or. Utility computing is a computing business model in which the provider owns, operates and manages the computing infrastructure and resources, and the subscribers accesses it as and when required on a rental or metered basis. Utility software is used to perform basic maintenance tasks on a computer. This lesson introduces you to some examples of application software and how they are used.
The software is used to manage files stored in a file system. Utility software, often referred as utility is a system software that is designed to help analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a computer and enhance the computers performance. The system software which is stored on non volatile memory is known as firmware. Communication software is an application or program designed to pass information from one system to another. There are also operating system utilities such as antivirus programs, registry cleaners and system restoration programs.
Mentioned below are the prominent advantages of utility software. Difference between application software and utility. There are different types of computer software which are useful for several purposes. It performs a single task or a number of small tasks.
Utility computing is the process of providing computing service through an ondemand, payperuse billing method. Utility software dictionary definition utility software. Storage space is always at a premium in computer systems. A program that performs a very specific task, usually related to managing system resources. In other usages, a utility is an application that is very specialized and relatively limited in capability. Many utilities could be considered as part of the system software, which. For example, word processors, spreadsheet programs, and database applications are considered. Using this approach, software encryption may be classified into software which encrypts data in transit and software which encrypts data at rest. For this task you would choose to use a file compression utility program. These software may come along with os like windows defender, windows disk cleanup tool.
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