Application software does all the hard work. This type of software performs user related tasks and can further be classified as general purpose, specialist or bespoke/customized. System software tools include OS and utility programs while the software application is task related. Know more about this type of software through this comprehensive guide.
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A general purpose application package is a type of software which can undertake different related tasks. Examples of application packages include spreadsheets, databases, word processors, presentation, and graphics software.
Generic System Software Tools: Working Wonders Across Generations
Application software is also referred to as generic software which basically means that it performs the same sort of general tasks as its counterparts. Computer users can purchase applications off the shelf.
Another name for application software is general purpose software. This comprises the following types of application software:
Database packages: The Fundamentals
Lotus Approach Paradox, MS Access are some of the different database packages which store and retrieve data.
Desktop Publishing: The Power of Editing
These packages such as PageMaker and MS Publisher product excellent professional publications such as newsletters, books, magazines and more.
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Spreadsheet packages: Widening Dexterity with Numbers
These include Lotus 123 and MS Excel and are for tasks that involve numerous calculations or productions of graphs or charts.
Word processing packages: When the Word Processor is Mightier than the Pen
This includes MS Word, WordPerfect and many others which generate text-based documents such as memos, reports, and letters.
Graphics Packages: Pixel perfect pictures worth a 1000 words
The different types of graphics packages include Corel, Serif Draw, PaintBrush, and Paint. These are used for creating and reshaping artwork.
CAD Packages: Tapping Computers for Design
Computer Applications aided design or CAD Packages such as AutoCAD, TurboCAD, and 2-D Design are excellent for creating and generating architecture plans and engineering designs.
Communications Software: Browsers that Connect
Communication software is used for accessing online email services and websites as well as the internet. The different types of communication software include Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator and more.
Presentation Graphics Packages: Making a Good Impression
Presentation graphics packages are excellent for creating professional slideshows and presentations which can be viewed with data or overhead projectors on-screen.
Web Page Editors: Weaving Magic with Web Pages
Web page editors such as MSFrontPage, Macromedia and Dreamweaver are used for creating Web pages. Create the perfect page in minutes using these amazing editing tools.
Integrated Packages: All in One Generalist
- Integrated application packages combine different apps all in one package offering excellent facilities for graphics, communicating, presenting, word processing and more.
- Integrated packages also make great savings on cost and applications have lesser number of features as against individual application packages.
- Microsoft Works is an instance of integrated packages.
Specialist Application Software: Working with Specifics
Specialist application software performs single specific tasks and examples of such software include payroll management and appointment scheduling.
Made to Order: Bespoke Software
Off the shelf, the software cannot meet all your needs, especially when specially developed software for a particular purpose is needed. Everything has its own drawbacks and advantages, and with customized software, the cons are high cost and a long time to develop the program.
Buying Application Software? Apply These Key Pointers
- The nature of the task for which the software is to be used is an important consideration.
- Factoring in the cost and the type of OS required is also essential.
- Minimum system requirements for the software are another vital factor.
- The software is to be used on a single computer or a network will determine if a special version is required.
- The extent of support available for users in the form of online communities, support lines, and internet sites as well as manuals is another key consideration.
- The ease with which the software can be installed and whether a user can carry it out or specialized IT experts are required is also a factor to weigh in.
A Typology That Works: Enterprise Versus Non-Enterprise Application Software
Application software helps end users perform single or numerous tasks. Application software is crucial for work settings too. This forms the basis of the distinction between Enterprise and Non-Enterprise application software.
Enterprise application software includes the following:
- Enterprise resource planning
- Supply chain management
- Embedded software
- CRM/Customer relationship management
Non-Enterprise application software comprises the following:
- Mobile apps: Application software intended for mobile devices, smartphones or tablets
- Entertainment: Gaming applications for DVD, CD, and media such as Rhapsody and Solitaire
- Graphics: Apps for organizing, editing and sharing images such as Adobe Illustrator, Photosmart Essentials and more
- Security: Detecting firewalls and anti-virus protection programs like QuickHeal and Norton are also perfect for those who want good cyber guards.
ERP: The Business of Application Software
Among enterprise software, ERP is the most commonly used application. This is the largest application used across the world followed by Office Suites and CRM. ERP integrates all operations and functions while Office Suite is a collection of software programs which can mesh well with each other. Office Suite programs such as MS Office are distributed together.
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Separating Chalk from Cheese: Application Software vs System Software Tools
System software tools provide the platform for running application or application software. It brings together the capabilities of the computer. Tasks that benefit end users fall under the domain of application software. ERP and supply chain management includes applications for services and manufacturing.
CRM or customer relationship management is a part of the enterprise software market for providing functionality to an enterprise in sales, marketing, customer service, and support.
Application software aids end users to perform single or multiple tasks and has enterprise as well as nonenterprise versions. It is used to design and accomplish specific tasks such as playing video files, editing images or composing a letter. The software program, as well as its implementation and the capabilities and power of the computer platform, encompasses systems software.
This is the difference between system software tools and application software
Systems programs differ from application programs. One of the unique characteristics of an application software program is the prevalence of user interface that is graphical in nature or GUI/Graphical User Interface. Such programs offer end users creativity to compose user-written software as well for word processing, accounting, and filtering data. Text editing is one of the many different types of application software that allows the development of more software programs and serves as a base. Web developers can use text editors to code client and server-side scripts for increased functionality of web pages.
A text editor is, in other words, an application software designed to create a script which is an application in itself. When application programs are bundled together, this is referred to as application suite. Application software suites include everything from a word processor to spreadsheets, image manipulation and drawing. From embedding spreadsheets into word processor created documents to inserting edited images, the possibilities are endless. While application software manipulates data or text for providing information, systems programs are involved in manipulation of computer hardware resources. System software forms the basis on which application software operates.
Personal Application Software: Widely Used General Purpose Apps
General purpose, off the shelf application programs supporting general types of processing, are referred to as personal application software.
Personal Application Software= Spreadsheet+ Data Management+ Word Processing+ Desktop Publishing+Graphics+ Speech Recognition+ Multimedia + Communications+Groupware+ Speech Recognition Software.
Personal application software aims at improving the productivity of individual users.
Applications of Application Software: Many Uses
Computer spreadsheet packages can be utilized for financial information such as cash flow analysis or income statements. They are also used for the purpose of forecasting sales, analysis of insurance programs, preparing summaries of income tax information and investment analysis. Spreadsheets are an application software which offers data management and graphical capabilities. Spreadsheets can also be used for applications requiring modeling, simulations and what if analysis. A spreadsheet can be recalculated and data management software supports not only storage and retrieval but manipulation of data as well.
If the numbers game is not up your alley and words are your true ally, word processing software is definitely for you. This allows users to manipulate text through an integrated set of programs comprising an editor, formatting, print, dictionary, thesaurus, spelling and grammar checker, mailing list, graphing, charting and drawing programs.
Word processing application software creates electronic replicas which can be stored in the computer’s memory too.
Moving past regular word processing, specialized documents such as newsletters, magazines, and journals require the use of desktop software. Rather than putting together documents by hand and getting them typeset, users can perform tasks directly combining text with rich images to create a perfect final product.
Graphics software packages including presentation, analysis, and CAD design can be used to create strong and powerful visuals. Analysis graphics goes a step further and lets analyzed data to be organized into graphics formats such as:
Bar Diagrams
Pie Charts
Line Charts
Scatter Diagrams
From sales results to marketing research data, presentation graphics and graphic analysis prove to be simply perfect for the job.
CAD software is used for designing items for manufacturing. This application software is great for compiling quantity lists, building production prototypes and transmitting the final design based on the prototype. CAD is used to control individual CIM or Computer Integrated Manufacturing software within individual machines.
The multimedia software combines two or more media for input or output of information. Multimedia is a profusion of media including audio, voice, animation, text, video, images and graphics. Think of it as a combination of spatial media with time-based media i.e text and images with sound and video.
Computers are fairly talkative…. to exchange information among themselves, they use communication software which allows computers to exchange information regardless of the distance between them. Information is exchanged over dedicated public cables, telephone lines, satellite relay systems or microwave circuits. The USP of this software is that it plays a key role in the function of the ISP by establishing and relinquishing electronic links as well as coding and decoding data.
Speech recognition is a form of application software which can be divided into two further types- discrete and continuous. While the former recognizes only one word at a time, the latter recognizes multiple. Such software is excellent for those coping with disabilities or injuries. Consider the tons of calls handled by a company through voice recognition software to get an idea of just how widespread the application of speech recognition software can be.
Groupware is a class of application of computer software which promotes coordination and collaboration between people. It permits workgroups to communicate and share information across distances and is perfect for everything from project management to location independence. Increased information and improved workflow are the direct results of electronic networks created by groupware. Everything from a memo to a report can be shared using groupware. It makes the art of business simple and the science of commerce easy.
Application Software: Program + Implementation
Application software is conceived of as software along with its implementation. From accounting software to media players, the areas of application are tremendous. An application software is like a microchip in the computer hardware…it is part of a whole. System software tools help in operating the hardware and provides a base for running the application software. Application software executes in an environment created by system software tools. System software tools itself executes within an environment that is self-created. System software tools require complex programming, while application software requires a simpler version. Many more different types of application software are there compared to system software programs. While system software programs run in the background, application software runs in the foreground and users interact with it. System software programs work on its own while application software is dependent on it. Both work together allowing the computer to function as a whole.
System software programs are widely used as general purpose software, has common tasks and special purpose applications are more narrow in their approach and associated with specific tasks. Another categorization of application software is horizontal or vertical. While horizontal programs are for generalized use with consumers, vertical programs are designed for the purpose of specialized uses. Horizontal apps include multimedia and graphics, internet programs and more. Copyrighted software includes shareware and commercial programs as well as freeware. To use a computer with skill and efficiency, mastery of application software is a must.
Conclusion
Application software is as important to the functioning of a computer as its hardware. Application software, in its wide and varied avatars, is the perfect tool for utilizing the computer well. This type of software is distinct from a system or operational software, yet it is linked to them as well. Computing involves the use of interrelated software to do all the hard tasks. Application software is an integral part of computing.
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