System software

System software is a generic term referring to any software whose purpose is to help run the computer. Most of it is responsible directly for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware components of a computer system.

In the Macintosh world, "System software" is used to describe the Macintosh system software, which includes all versions from 1.0 through to 7.5. Versions 7.5.1 and above are termed Mac OS.

Description
System software is opposed to application software that helps solve user problems directly. System software performs tasks like transferring data from memory to a storage device, or rendering text onto a display. Specific kinds of system software include s, operating systems, device drivers, s, compilers, s, s, and utilities.

Low-level system software can be stored in on  that is usually termed firmware.