Lecture 4

Topic 4: Application Software

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Lecture Objectives

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 Application Software

• Software that helps a user carry out/solve a

specific task.

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Classification of Application Software
• Classified into 2:
i. In-house applications
ii. Application packages

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In-house Applications
• Application developed to suite the
requirements of a specific client.
• Example: Maseno University’s MIS.
• They are developed after interviewing
the stakeholders of the system
(employees of the organization).
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Application Packages
• Off-the-shelf general purpose application
software that help an end user carryout one
or a range of tasks.
• Can be further classified into:
i. Productivity Software:
ii. Entertainment/ Educational Software

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Business Productivity Software
• designed to help a user accomplish
practical tasks e.g. writing reports,
maintaining databases, sending email
etc.
Entertainment/Educational Software
• For entertainment or educational
purposes.
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• Application Software may be published
individually or as a suite.
• Software Suite: a group of applications by the
same manufacturer and distributed as one.
• Advantages of Software Suites:
i. Easy exchange of data between apps.
ii. sharing of some common interface
characteristics
iii. Low cost compared to buying individual apps
iv. Easy to update all applications at once

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• Examples: MS Office Suite: Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Access, Outlook,.

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• Software Apps may be distributed on a
CD/DVD disc, or may be downloaded
from the Internet.

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Classification of Application Packages

1. Word processors
• used to prepare professional documents and
reports.
• Examples: MS Word, Open Office Writer
2. Presentation software
• A program that presents information as a
series of slides that summarize a report or
verbal Presentation.
Examples:

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3. Spreadsheets
• designed to manipulate numeric data and
charts.
• Examples:

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Classification of Application Packages

4. Database Management Systems (DBMS)

• Software designed to store, retrieve and
manipulate records in an efficient manner.
• Example: MS Access, MySQL
5. Desktop Publishing Software
• Help in layout design of documents meant
for the print industry e.g. newspapers.
• Examples: MS Publisher, Adobe InDesign,
Adobe PageMaker etc.

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6. Graphics Software
• Helps in creating and manipulating images
and photographs.
• Examples: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe
Illustrator etc.

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7. Accounting packages
• Application designed to simplify the
entire process of managing a business’s
finances, including creating invoices and
purchase orders, processing payments,
and running reports.
• Example: QuickBooks

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8. Statistical packages
• For statistical analysis
• Examples: SPSS
9. Computer-Aided Design Software (CAD)
• Aid in the process of producing technical
drawings.
• Examples: AutoCAD, ArchiCAD

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web resources

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10. Web browsers
• Allow a user to request for and also display
web pages over the Internet.
• Examples:

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11. Communication Software
• Software that provides various ways of
communicating with other people via the
Internet.
i. Email Applications - Software that assists in
sending and receiving emails.
• Examples:

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ii. Instant Messaging Apps
• Supports real-time chats over the Internet.
• Examples:
iii. Video Chat Apps – Software that makes it
possible to have an online conversation that
includes both audio and video.
• Examples: duo

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iv. Videoconferencing Apps
• Apps that makes it possible to hold meetings
online involving multiple people at multiple
locations.
• Examples:

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v. Groupware
• Software that enables people collaborate on a
project and work together in a team
environment online.
Example: Microsoft SharePoint

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12. Tax software
• Helps with tax filing.
• Examples: TurboTax and H&R Block .

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13. Personal Enrichment and Educational Software
a) Legal software - Software that guides the user in
creating legally binding contracts and forms.
b) Reference software - Software that provides
access to established facts and information on a
variety of topics. E.g. Encyclopedia Britannica
c) Educational software - Software that trains an
individual in a particular area of knowledge or
skill.
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14. Music and Video Players
• Multi-purpose apps playing audio-visuals.
• Examples: Windows Media Player,

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 Advantages of Application Packages
over In-house Applications

1. Takes short time to acquire

2. Cheap
3. fewer errors if any
4. Can accomplish a variety of tasks

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 Options for Acquiring Software

1. Buying proprietary (licensed) software.

2. Ordering customized software
3. Developing customized software
4. Downloading public-domain (Open-
Source) software.
5. SaaS -

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Application System Requirements
• Before you acquire an application, you should
check its system requirements.
• System Requirements -the minimum
hardware configuration required in order to
successfully install and run the application.

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