Application Software

Application software (an application) is a set of computer programs

designed to permit the user to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or
activities. Application software cannot run on itself but is dependent on system
software to execute. Examples of an application include a word processor, a
spreadsheet design and management system, an aeronautical flight simulator, a
console game, a drawing, painting, and illustrating system, or a library
management system.

The term is used to distinguish such software from system software, which
manages and integrates a computer’s capabilities but does not directly perform
tasks that benefit the user, and utility software, which is directly concerned with
altering or managing the computer's operating environment.

Examples of types of application software may include accounting software,

media players, and office suites. Many application programs deal principally with
documents. Applications may be bundled with the computer and its system
software or published separately, and may be coded as e.g. proprietary, open-
source or university projects.

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 tool (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 focus on a single task, such as word processing; others,
called integrated software include several applications.

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User-written software tailor’s systems to meet the user’s specific needs. User-
written software includes 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.

There are many different ways to divide up different types of application software,
and several are explained here.

Since the development and near-universal adoption of the web, an important

distinction that has emerged has been between web applications — written with
HTML, JavaScript and other web-native technologies and typically requiring one
to be online and running a web browser, and the more traditional native
applications written in whatever languages are available for one's particular type
of computer. There has been contentious debate in the computing community
regarding web applications replacing native applications for many purposes,
especially on mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Web apps have
indeed greatly increased in popularity for some uses, but the advantages of
applications make them unlikely to disappear soon, if ever. Furthermore, the two
can be complementary, and even integrated.

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Application software can also be seen as being either horizontal or vertical.
Horizontal applications are more popular and widespread, because they are
general purpose, for example word processors or databases. Vertical applications
are niche products, designed for a particular type of industry or business, or
department within an organization. Integrated suites of software will try to handle
every specific aspect possible of, for example, manufacturing or banking systems,
or accounting, or customer service.

There are many types of application software categorize as:

Application/Software
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
Screenshots, created and uploaded by Philip Terry Graham.
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.

Utility Software - is system

software designed to help
analyze, configure, optimize
or maintain a computer.
Usually focuses on how the
computer infrastructure
(including the computer
hardware, operating system,
http://www.learnitwithmrc.co.uk/KS5/OCR_IT/Unit1/LO2/2.3/
software and data storage) operates. Utility software, along with operating system
software, is a type of system software, distinguishing it from application software.

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Enterprise Software -
addresses the needs of an entire
organization’s processes and
data flows, across several
departments, often in a large
distributed environment.
Examples include enterprise
resource planning systems,
http://mishainfotech.com/enterprise-applications.aspx
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.)
https://www.devart.com/dbforge/oracle/fusion/

Information Worker
Software - lets users
create and manage
information, often for
individual projects
within a department,
https://www.smartsheet.com/how-to-make-
spreadsheets
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in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management,
resource management, analytical, collaborative and documentation tools.
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 http://www.howtogeek.com

may include software that allows for content editing.

Such software addresses the needs of individuals and
groups to consume digital entertainment and published http://songsthatyouwant.blogspot.com/p/music-
players.html
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
https://microsoft_encarta.en.downloadastro.com/
capabilities.

Simulation Software - simulates

physical or abstract systems for either
research, training or entertainment
purposes. This includes graphic-art
software, desktop publishing
software, multimedia development
software, HTML editors, digital-
animation editors, digital audio and
video composition, and many others. http://www.geom.uiuc.edu/projects/visualization/

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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
http://www.cad-schroer.com/products/medusa4
development environments, and application programmer interfaces.

Entertainment Software
- can refer to video
games, screen savers,
programs to display
motion pictures or play
recorded music, and other
forms of entertainment
which can be experienced
through use of a http://softmozerblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/fun-loving-software-
entertainment.html
computing device.

Antivirus or Anti-Virus Software - (often

abbreviated as AV), sometimes known as anti-
malware software, is computer software used
to prevent, detect and remove malicious
software.
http://www.itguyswa.com.au/free-antivirus-protection/

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Virtualization Software - allows a single host computer to create and run one or
more virtual environments. It is most often used to emulate a complete computer
system in order to allow a guest operating system to be run, for example allowing
Linux to run as a guest on top of a PC that is natively running a Microsoft Windows
operating system (or the inverse, running Windows as a guest on Linux). Storage
virtualization refers to the process of abstracting logical storage from physical
storage.

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/vm/template-1482544.html

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 An Application Program (app or application for short) is a
computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions,
tasks, or activities for the benefit of the user. Examples of an application
include a word processor, a spreadsheet, an accounting application, a web
browser, a media player, an aeronautical flight simulator, a console game
or a photo editor. The collective noun application software refers to all
applications collectively. This contrasts with system software, which is
mainly involved with running the computer.

Applications may be bundled with the computer and its system

software or published separately, and may be coded as proprietary, open-
source or university projects. [2] Apps built for mobile platforms are called
mobile apps.

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 2nd Semester - Lesson 8
Installing and Configuring Computer
Systems (ICCS)

Topics:
 Disk management software
 Antivirus / diagnostic software
 Device drivers
 Drivers/Software update procedures
- Application software license agreements

Learning Outcome:
1. Learn the procedures in Installing Application Software;
2. Install different Application Software;
3. Learn the Importance of Application software updates,
4. Download and install different Application Software updates

Content:
Software updates (sometimes known as “Patches” or “Service Packs”) are
computing data that improve usability, performance, and security vulnerabilities
within a piece of pre-existing software. Releasing software to the public is a system
that involves planning new software updates every so often (be it per month, week,
or year) for new content and changes to the current software being used by the
public.

Competencies:
4.2 Carry out variation to application software in accordance to customer/
client requirements
4.3 Access software updates in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations and requirements
4.4 Install software updates in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations and requirements

Code: TLE_IACSS9-12TCEW-IIIe-f-21

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 Installation Procedure
A software generally refers to any type of executable code that can be
launched in a computer system. It is designed to implement and complete
specific functions that are required by the user in his activities. Software
can be developed and distributed freely (freeware) by programmers in
various communities and forums, or they can be sold commercially either online
or in computer stores by software companies like Microsoft, Adobe, and Sony
among others. Some computer experts believe that software can be categorized
as general application (can be installed and used by any organization) or
customized (developed to cater to the specific needs of a particular group or
enterprise). General application software like the Microsoft Office Productivity
Suite for example can also be customized and tailor fitted to the needs of a
specific organization. This is done by using macro commands and a bit of
programming.

Materials Needed:
- Computer
- CD or DVD drive
- Installation disc
- Internet connection
- Web browser

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PROCEDURES CAN BE IN DIFFERENT WAYS
For Microsoft Windows users

1. Autorun from a CD or DVD

Many software programs, games, and utilities have an AutoPlay feature.
This feature automatically starts a setup screen for the software program when
inserting a CD or DVD. If your program contains this feature, follow the steps that
appear after inserting the disc.

2. If No Autorun Feature

- Open My Computer.
Within the My Computer window, open the drive that contains the
installation files. For example, if the files are on the CD-ROM drive open the D:
drive or letter of your CD-ROM drive.
Setup.exe Within the drive that contains your files, locate either the
executable setup or install file. Double-clicking on this file starts the
installation process. If you see multiple setup or install files, try to locate the
Application file or double-click each of the setup or install files until you find the
file that starts the installation. Many times the icons associated with the
installation files have the same name.
An alternate method for starting installation in Microsoft Windows
- Click Start and Run.
In the Run Window, type x:\setup or x:\install where x is the letter of the install
drive.

3. Installing from a Download

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If the file you downloaded is an executable, click the icon twice in rapid
succession to start the setup process. If the downloaded file is compressed (e.g.
.zip) you must extract the file's contents before setup can begin.
Fortunately, this function is build into later versions of Windows.
Once the files are extracted, double click the setup to install.

4. MS-DOS users
Users installing a program from Microsoft DOS should have a basic
understanding of the MS-DOS commands. If you are unfamiliar with any of the
commands listed below, click the link to get additional information on that specific
command.
Before installing a program in MS-DOS, you must switch to the drive or directory
that contains the installation files. If you are installing a program from a CD or
diskette, switch to that drive. If the installation files are located in a different
directory, use the dir command to list the directories and the cd command to
switch into the appropriate directory.
Once you are in the directory or drive that contains the installation files, run the
executable for setup. Many times this can be done by typing setup or install at
the prompt to start the installation. If both of these commands give a bad
command or file name error message, type dir *.exe or dir *.com or dir *.bat.
These commands list any executable files; if any files are listed, execute
these files to run the installation or setup of the program. If no files are listed
when typing all three of the above commands, you are in the incorrect
directory or drive letter for that program.

5. For General users and OS

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Step 1
The first most important step in software installation is to verify that the target
system meets the general hardware requirements of the application. Beginning
the installation in a computer machine which does not possess the minimum
requirements can lead to either an unsuccessful installation or failure of the
program to run after installing it.
Step 2
Since programs in general are written to be Operating System dependent, make
sure that the version of the application you are installing corresponds to the
Operating System platform running on your machine.
Step 3
Aside from the general hardware requirements, some computer programs
also have software requirements prior to installation. Double check if you

need to update or upgrade your Operating System or if there is a need to

download other tools or utilities.
Step 4
Once all the initial requirements have been met, make sure that there are no
unnecessary programs running before beginning the installation procedure. In
some instances, applications may require that the antivirus programs be
disabled. Make sure that you are installing a legitimate application before
disabling your protection software.
Step 5
Software installation can be done either from the Internet (skip to step 8) or
from an installation disc provided by the software manufacturer. To install
from the disc, simply open the CD or DVD drive and insert the installer.
Step 6

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A setup wizard window should be launched. In case there is none, open the
Explorer and navigate to the optical drive. Double click on either the
Autorun or Setup file.
Step 7
Once the wizard is running, simply follow the prompts until the installation
process is completed. For novice users, accept the default values to
minimize potential problems during the procedure. Jump to step 10.
Step 8
For installation from the Web, launch your browser application and
download the setup file to your hard drive.
Step 9
After completion of the downloading process, run the setup program to
execute the setup wizard that will handle the automatic installation of the
software. Do step 7.
Step 10
After the installation procedure has been completed and the setup wizard has
terminated, reboot your machine before launching the newly installed software.

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