Question

Define the three overarching domains that contain application software, system software and hardware layers along with the layers of abstraction in each, and explain in detail how each of these layers, whether software or hardware, interacts with the others. Explain your answer in 3-5 sentences.(4 points)
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Answer 1

The three overarching domains that encompass application software, system software, and hardware are **_Hardware Layer, System Software Layer, and Application Software Layer_**.

- **_Hardware Layer:_** This is the lowest level, consisting of physical components like CPUs, memory, storage devices, and input/output devices. It provides the fundamental resources that software utilizes for operations.

- **_System Software Layer:_** This includes the operating systems and utility programs that manage hardware and software resources. The system software acts as an intermediary between hardware and application software, facilitating efficient resource allocation and communication.

- **_Application Software Layer:_** This encompasses programs designed to perform specific tasks for users, such as word processing, web browsing, or gaming. Application software relies on system software to access hardware resources, while system software must be designed to support application requirements.

Each layer interacts through well-defined interfaces: the hardware layer provides services to the system software, which in turn offers APIs and services that application software calls to perform tasks. This hierarchy ensures that application software can execute without needing to understand the underlying hardware intricacies, as the system software abstracts these details away.