Application software

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OpenOffice.org Writer word processor. OpenOffice.org is a popular example of open source

application software.

The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), version 2.8. GIMP is freely distributed
software.

Application software is all the computer software that causes a computer to perform useful
tasks (compare with Computer viruses) beyond the running of the computer itself. A specific
instance of such software is called a software application, application or app.

The term is used to contrast such software with system software, which manages and integrates a
computer's capabilities but does not directly perform tasks that benefit the user. The system
software serves the application, which in turn serves the user.

Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and
media players. Many application programs deal principally with documents. Applications may
be bundled with the computer and its system software or published separately, and can be coded
as university projects.[1]
Application software applies the power of a particular computing platform or system software to
a particular purpose.

Some applications are available in versions for several different platforms; others have narrower
requirements and are thus called, for example, a Geography application for Windows or an
Android application for education or Linux gaming. Sometimes a new and popular application
arises which only runs on one platform, increasing the desirability of that platform. This is called
a killer application.

Contents
 1 Terminology
 2 Application software classification
o 2.1 Information worker software
o 2.2 Content access software
o 2.3 Entertainment software
o 2.4 Educational software
o 2.5 Enterprise infrastructure software
o 2.6 Simulation software
o 2.7 Media development software
o 2.8 Product engineering software
 3 See also
 4 References
 5 External links

Terminology
In information technology, an application is a computer program designed to help people
perform an activity. An application thus differs from an operating system (which runs a
computer), a utility (which performs maintenance or general-purpose chores), and a
programming tools (with which computer programs are created). Depending on the activity for
which it was designed, an application can manipulate text, numbers, graphics, or a combination
of these elements. Some application packages offer considerable computing power by focusing
on a single task, such as word processing; others, called integrated software, offer somewhat less
power but include several applications.[2] User-written software tailors systems to meet the user's
specific needs. User-written software include spreadsheet templates, word processor macros,
scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user
software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is.

The delineation between system software such as operating systems and application software is
not exact, however, and is occasionally the object of controversy. For example, one of the key
questions in the United States v. Microsoft antitrust trial was whether Microsoft's Internet
Explorer web browser was part of its Windows operating system or a separable piece of
application software. As another example, the GNU/Linux naming controversy is, in part, due to
disagreement about the relationship between the Linux kernel and the operating systems built
over this kernel. In some types of embedded systems, the application software and the operating
system software may be indistinguishable to the user, as in the case of software used to control a
VCR, DVD player or microwave oven. The above definitions may exclude some applications
that may exist on some computers in large organizations. For an alternative definition of an app:
see Application Portfolio Management.

In recent years, the term "app" has been used to exclusively refer to applications for mobile
devices such as smartphones and tablets, referring to their smaller scope in relation to
applications used by PCs.

Application software classification

Application software falls into two general categories; horizontal applications and vertical
applications. Horizontal applications are the most popular and widespread in departments or
companies. Vertical applications are niche products, designed for a particular type of
organization. For example, a particular type of business (manufacturing versus banking) or a
department within a company (accounting versus customer service).

There are many types of application software:

 An application suite consists of multiple applications bundled together. They usually

have related functions, features and user interfaces, and may be able to interact with each
other, e.g. open each other's files. Business applications often come in suites, e.g.
Microsoft Office, LibreOffice and iWork, which bundle together a word processor, a
spreadsheet, etc.; but suites exist for other purposes, e.g. graphics or music.
 Enterprise software addresses the needs of an entire organization's processes and data
flow, across most all departments, often in a large distributed environment. (Examples
include financial systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and supply
chain management software). Departmental Software is a sub-type of enterprise software
with a focus on smaller organizations and/or groups within a large organization.
(Examples include travel expense management and IT Helpdesk.)
 Enterprise infrastructure software provides common capabilities needed to support
enterprise software systems. (Examples include databases, email servers, and systems for
managing networks and security.)
 Information worker software lets users create and manage information, often for
individual projects within a department, in contrast to enterprise management. Examples
include time management, resource management, documentation tools, analytical, and
collaborative. Word processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal
information system, and individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker
tasks.
 Content access software is used primarily to access content without editing, but may
include software that allows for content editing. Such software addresses the needs of
individuals and groups to consume digital entertainment and published digital content.
(Examples include media players, web browsers, and help browsers.)
  Educational software is related to content access software, but has the content and/or
features adapted for use in by educators or students. For example, it may deliver
evaluations (tests), track progress through material, or include collaborative capabilities.
 Simulation software simulates physical or abstract systems for either research, training or
entertainment purposes.
 Media development software generates print and electronic media for others to consume,
most often in a commercial or educational setting. This includes graphic-art software,
desktop publishing software, multimedia development software, HTML editors, digital-
animation editors, digital audio and video composition, and many others.[3]
 Product engineering software is used in developing hardware and software products. This
includes computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer
language editing and compiling tools, integrated development environments, and
application programmer interfaces.

Applications can also be classified by computing platform such as a particular operating system,
delivery network such as in cloud computing and Web 2.0 applications, or delivery devices such
as mobile apps for mobile devices.

The operating system itself can be considered application software when performing simple
calculating, measuring, rendering, and word processing tasks not used to control hardware via
command-line interface or graphical user interface. This does not include application software
bundled within operating systems such as a software calculator or text editor.

n application is a program or group of programs designed for end users. Application software can
be divided into two general classes: systems software and applications software. Systems
software consists of low-level programs that interact with the computer at a very basic level. This
includes operating systems, compilers, and utilities for managing computer resources.

In contrast, applications software (also called end-user programs) includes database programs,
word processors, and spreadsheets. Figuratively speaking, applications software sits on top of
systems software because it is unable to run without the operating system and system utilities.

Computer Application or Application Software

A computer application or application software would be a program like for example, Office
2010.  Office 2010 is what they call a Suite of programs.  It has more than one program you can
use.  It may include Access, Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.

It laymen terms?  Its another word for a computer program or an executable file.   You execute
the file most of the time by double clicking the programs icon.

 
Software that allows users to do things like create text documents, play games, listen to music, or
surf the web are called Application Software.  If we view out picture today we can see programs
that we may use to do some of the tasks mentioned.  If you deal with pictures (graphics) that
would also be an computer application or application software.

Here is an article that goes into more technical terms for the computer application, or application
software.

Computer Hope has a webpage called, The complete listing of Computer software.  These are all
computer applications or application software.  Keep in mind new software is coming out all the
time, but it sure does look like they nailed most of them!

That is our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner on Computer application, application
software, and system software.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns?  Please leave you note in the area supplied
below.

Also keep in mind that if you enter your email address in the subscription box below future
lessons will be sent to your email box.

 
 

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Why Buy a Business PC?
The business computer is a company’s most valuable asset. Users must be able to quickly and
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Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate business computers. 

Processor
A fast CPU, commonly referred to as a processor, aids in multi-tasking when a variety of
applications must be opened at once. Some systems include multi-core power processors,
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Memory/Storage
Memory allows the computer to quickly access frequently used applications and
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The hard drive must be large enough to handle the installation of numerous productivity
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Video/Audio
Though not mission-critical to the average office user, video and audio capabilities are a
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or other instructional media is a common office event. Most business machines come with
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type device. 

With the integrated method, memory is shared with the system memory and can
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routinely use such applications as Adobe Photoshop or AutoCAD. 

Additional Features
When looking at additional features, things like the computer’s operating system are
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System software
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Not to be confused with Software system.

System software (or systems software) is an operating system designed to operate and control
the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running application software.[1][2]

Device drivers such as computer BIOS and device firmware provide basic functionality to
operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer. The operating system
(prominent examples being z/OS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux), allows the parts
of a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and
disks or rendering output onto a display device. It also provides a platform to run high-level
system software and application software. Window systems are components of a graphical user
interface (GUI), and more specifically of a desktop environment, which supports the
implementation of window managers, and provides basic support for graphics hardware, pointing
devices such as mouse, and keyboards. The mouse cursor is also generally drawn by the
windowing system. Utility software helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the
computer.

Servers are computer programs running to serve the requests of other programs. The server
performs some computational task on behalf of the software which may run on either the same
computer or on other computers connected through a network.

In some publications, the term system software also includes software development tools (like a
compiler, linker or debugger).[3]

In contrast to system software, software that allows users to do things like create text documents,
play games, listen to music, or surf the web is called application software.[4]

Software means computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is
software, in contrast to storage devices and display devices which are called hardware.

The terms software and hardware are used as both nouns and adjectives. For example, you can
say: "The problem lies in the software," meaning that there is a problem with the program or
data, not with the computer itself. You can also say: "It's a software problem."

The distinction between software and hardware is sometimes confusing because they are so
integrally linked. Clearly, when you purchase a program, you are buying software. But to buy the
software, you need to buy the disk (hardware) on which the software is recorded.

Categories of Software
Software is often divided into two categories.  Systems software includes the operating system
and all the utilities that enable the computer to function. Applications software includes
programs that do real work for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, and database
management systems fall under the category of applications software.