APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Software is the general name given to all the programs (set of instructions) that computers use to
perform different tasks. There are two types of software: System software and Application
Software.
Application Software is a group of programs designed to accomplish a single task or a group of
related tasks. Word processing, graphics, databases and spreadsheets are examples of application
software. There are different types of application software: Custom-written, General-purpose,
Specialist application program, Proprietary, Open source.
Custom-written – refers to software that has been created specifically to suit the needs of the
person or the organization.
General-purpose – can be used by a wide variety of users and does not have to be adapted to
suit each person’s or organisation’s particular needs.
Specialist application program – designed for a specific task. It is commonly used by
professionals such as doctors who may require specialized information on patients.
Proprietary software – is owned by an organization who sells licenses to use it.
Open Source software – is available to download from the Web. It is free and legal.

Application Software can be brought “off-the-shelf” also known as ready-made software or

packaged software. A packaged software consists of a collection of programs designed for
general use eg word processing packages, spreadsheet, database, graphics, games. The package
created by programmers are specific to an operating system. For example, a word processing
package written for windows may not run on DOS. It can also be specific to certain computers.

ADVANTAGES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE PACKAGES:

 Users do not need any special technical skills or ability to use them. They are user
friendly
 They cost less than writing your own software programs
 They are easily available

DISADVANTAGES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE PACKAGES:

 They are rigid and their functions cannot be changed.
 Some of them may not suit your specific requirement.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE: manages and supports the resources and operations of a computer
system. It enables the running of application software and the management of the system
resources. System software acts as a buffer between the hardware and application software. The
system software is installed on your computer when you install your operating system. You can
update the software by running programs such as "Windows Update" for Windows or "Software
Update" for Mac OS X. Unlike application programs, however, system software is not meant to
be run by the end user.

Word Processing – is the preparation of documents such as letters, reports, memos, books or
any other type of correspondence. A word processor is an application is an application package
or program that allows you to edit, print and save these documents for later use. ‘Word’ is part of
the Microsoft Office package.
(Student task: List further functions that can be performed in a word processor)

Spreadsheets – enables you to store not only numerical data in rows and columns but also
formulae to carry out operations on the numerical data. These formulae are applied to the data in
the sheet whenever you make a change to it so the entire worksheet is automatically recalculated
updating other numbers as necessary. This is an important feature of a spreadsheet. Another
important feature is the ability to represent the numerical data quickly and easily in one of many
graphical forms (pie charts, bar graphs, histogram etc). Examples of where spreadsheets can be
used are statistics, loan calculations, budgeting, stock-keeping, payrolls, end-of-term reports.
(Student task: List further functions that can be performed in a spreadsheet)

Database – is an organized collection of related data. It can be used to store information on

students, patients, music or video collections, stock in a supermarket, employee records….
Information on almost anything.
A database package is a piece of software used to create and manage a computerized database.
The information is stored in such a way that there is efficient retrieval, updating and
manipulation of the data. This is done by the use of objects such as tables, forms, queries,
reports, macros and modules. A database is created using Microsoft Access.