A
program that performs a very specific task, usually related to managing
system resources.
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. For example, word processors, spreadsheet programs, and database applications are considered applications because they are large programs that perform a variety of functions not directly related to managing computer resources.
Utilities are sometimes installed as memory-resident programs. On DOS systems, such utilities are called TSRs.
