define the three overarching domains that contain application software, system software and hardware layers along with the layers of abstraction in each of these layers, whether software or hardware interacts with the others. Explain in 3-5 sentences

1 answer

The three overarching domains that comprise application software, system software, and hardware layers are the application layer, the operating system layer, and the hardware layer.

The application layer contains software applications that are created to perform specific tasks or functions for the user. The layer of abstraction here is the application programming interface (API) which allows the application to interact with the underlying system software.

The system software layer consists of the operating system (OS) and other system utilities that manage the resources and provide an interface between the hardware and the applications. The abstraction layer in this domain is the system call interface, which acts as a bridge between the applications and the hardware, allowing the software to request services from the operating system.

The hardware layer comprises the physical components such as the processor, memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and network interfaces. The abstraction layer at this level is the device driver, which serves as a mediator between the operating system and the hardware, enabling communication and control.

In each of these layers, there is an interaction between software and hardware. The application software interacts with the system software through APIs and system calls, while the system software interacts with the hardware through device drivers. This hierarchical approach allows for modularization, abstraction, and separation of concerns, facilitating interoperability and ease of development.