Can You Briefly Explain Utility Programs?

A utility program is a type of system software that is used that performs a specific task. It is normally used to solve the common problems of software and hardware. File viewer is used to view and manage files in computer system. All operating systems provide file viewers. Windows Explorer is an example of file viewer. File compressor is used to shrink the size of files. It smaller size of file is easy to copy. Using file compressors can transfer a large volume of data. WinZip is an example of file compressor. Diagnostic utility is used to detect problems of hardware and software. All operating systems provide disk scanners to manage computer disks. A type of software that is used to detect and remove viruses is called antivirus software.

                 Antivirus programs contain information about different known viruses. They can detect viruses and remove them. Antivirus program not only detects viruses from computer but also prevent new viruses from entering into the computer. Some antiviruses programs are McAfee, Norton Antivirus and Doctor Salmon's. Disk defragmenter software is used to reorganize the files on the files on the disk. It manages the un-used space on the disk so that the operating system may use data more quickly. Backup utility is used to make the backup of data and files. Backup is used when data is lost or detected unexpectedly.

IBM used to categorize programs into two categories: Problem programs and system programs.  Utility programs are what used to be called system programs.  Problem programs work to solve a problem e.g. Word processing, spreadsheets, internet browsers, etc.  System program aren't trying to solve a problem for the user, they are "housekeeping" programs that maintain the computer itself.  18811881 gave a number of good examples of system/utility programs.

Briefly explain concepts of system life cycle