Importance of step and impulse response

Hi,
I am tyring to understand- what exact information about a
linear-time-invariant system, can be obtained from its impulse and
step response. I understand how step response can be derived from the
impulse response and vice versa. But I am not clear about what
information (for example transient or steady-state etc) these
responses provide about the system. Is there anything extra that one
provides and other cannot?

Any comments would be appreciated.
-Aby

 

From what I recall an impulse is not physically realizable, but
I've modeled it as a million volt, 1 uS pulse. It simulates a freq
generator of infinite bandwidth and unity amplitude. When introduced
into the input of an amplifier or filter the output will be the freq
response.

I find the step useful from a practical standpoint for testing the
behaviour of tone controls on stereo systems.

Grumpy