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Application Software
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 Application Software
Application software or apps are computer
programs designed to perform specific
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users. It differs from system software,
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drivers, and utilities that allow computer
hardware to function.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Is a term used to describe software that is designed to perform specific tasks

for users. Unlike system software, which is responsible for running a
computer's hardware, application software offers the end-user specific
functionalities, from writing texts to playing games or managing financial data.

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0 Word Processing Software Spreadsheet Software Presentation Software
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Google Docs Google Sheets Google Slides
LibreOffice Writer LibreOffice Calc Apple Keynote
Apple Pages Apple Numbers LibreOffice Impress

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Based on cost, application software can be categorized

into the following types:
• Freeware: Software that is available for free and can
be downloaded and used by anyone. Examples: VLC
Media Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Google
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Chrome.
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trial basis. After the trial period, users may need to
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pay to continue using all features. Typically includes a
limited set of features or is time-restricted. Examples:
WinZip (before purchase), some versions of Nero
CD/DVD writer.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Based on cost, application software can be categorized into

the following types:
• Open Source: Software for which the original source code
is made freely available and may be redistributed and
modified. It's not necessarily always free; the "open"
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refers to the source code being open, not the cost.
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• Commercial Software (Proprietary Software): Software
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that is developed for sale to consumers or businesses.
Users typically cannot see or modify the source code.
Examples: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop,
Windows Operating System.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Types of applications based on the number of

users:
• Vertical Application Software (User Vertical):
is software that is defined and built according to a
user’s specific requirements to achieve specific
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functions and processes that are unique to that
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or organization in different business units like sales,
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marketing, inventory and overall management, but
may not work for another business that do not have
very similar processes. Restaurant Billing
Examples: Medical billing software.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Types of applications based on the number of users:

• Horizontal Application Software (General-Purpose):
A horizontal application is any software application that is designed to be
used by many different types of users and businesses. It is a type of generic
application that has usability and utility within a broad range of users.
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Examples: Office Suites: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop.
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 Computer Software
Application Software

Before downloading and installing an application, it's important to ensure

that your system meets the application's system requirements:
• Compatibility: Some applications are designed for specific operating
systems. For instance, a Windows application won't work on macOS and
vice versa unless there's a version available for that OS.
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• Hardware Needs: Some applications might require specific hardware
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certain type of graphics card.
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• Storage: You need to ensure you have enough disk space not just for the
application itself but also for its data, updates, and other related files.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Documentation
Is written text or illustration that provides information about an application or
other software product. Documentation is important for explaining how the
software works, how to use it, and any other information that may be helpful
for users. To view the documentation for an application, you can follow these
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general steps.
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Many applications have a built-in help or manual section. This is often
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accessible from the menu, usually under "Help," "About," "Documentation,"
or similar. Some software might also have a "Readme" file in their installation
directory that contains information about the application.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Documentation
• Official Website:
Almost every software has an official website, and many of them offer user
manuals, FAQs, or tutorials in a dedicated section. If you purchased the
software online, check the website where you bought it. They might have links
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to documentation.
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If you have a physical copy of the software (like a CD or DVD), it might come
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with a printed manual. Alternatively, the disc might contain a digital manual or
readme file.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Application licenses
Define the terms under which software can be used
and distributed. They are legal agreements between
the software developer or publisher and the
software user. Understanding the type of license an
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application comes with is essential because it
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the software. Here are some of the most common
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types of application licenses:
• single license is typically designed for individual
users and allows the software to be installed on a
single machine or device.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Application licenses
• Volume licensing: is a scheme where
organizations can purchase licenses in
bulk, often at a discounted rate, based on
the number of users or devices that need
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access.
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used by an unlimited number of users
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within a specific geographical location,
such as a company's office, a campus, or a
corporate building.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Web application: often referred to as web apps, are software programs

that run on web servers and are accessed via web browsers over the
internet. They provide users with a wide range of functionalities through
a web interface, and users don't usually need to install anything on their
local devices to use them.
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Some examples of popular web applications include:
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• Google Sheets
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• Google Slides
• Gmail
• Google Drive

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Web applications have several advantages over

traditional desktop software, including:
• Accessibility: Web applications can be
accessed from any device with a web browser,
regardless of the operating system.
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• Cost: Web applications are typically less
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traditional desktop software.
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• Updates: Web applications can be updated
automatically without any intervention from
the user.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

Web applications have some disadvantages, including:

• Internet connection: Web applications require a
reliable internet connection to function. If you lose
your internet connection, you will not be able to use
the web application.
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• Security vulnerabilities: Web applications can be
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applications. This is because they are hosted on
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servers that are accessible to the public.
• Limited offline functionality: Most web applications
cannot be used offline. This can be a problem if you
need to use the application in an area with no
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 Computer Software
Application Software

In Application software design, the user

interface (UI) is the space where interactions
between humans and the application occur.
Effective UIs ensure the user can easily interact
with the software, leading to an intuitive and
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user-friendly experience.
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• Main Window: The primary screen of the
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application.
• Dialog Box: A secondary window that
captures user input or provides important
notifications.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

• Main Menu: Often found at the top of an

application window or along the side, providing
access to key functionalities.
• Dropdown Menu: Allows users to select an
option from a list.
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• Text Fields: Allow users to input text.
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buttons, or other UI elements.
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Text filed
• Checkboxes: Users can select multiple options
from a list.
• Radio Buttons: Users select only one option
from a list.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

The Ribbon
Is a user interface element introduced by Microsoft in its Office suite of
applications with Office 2007. It represents a significant shift from the
traditional menus and toolbars that were common in earlier versions.
Purpose and Design:
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• Goal: The Ribbon was designed to help users find commands more easily
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• Contextual Tabs: These tabs only appear when they are relevant, reducing
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clutter. For instance, when you select an image in Word, the "Picture Tools"
tab will appear, offering image-related options.

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 Computer Software
Application Software

The Ribbon Structure:

• Tabs: The Ribbon is organized into tabs, with each tab relating to a type of
activity, such as "Home", "Insert", "Design", etc.
• Groups: Within each tab, tools are grouped together based on their
function. For example, the "Font" group on the "Home" tab includes
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options for font size, font color, and font style.
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like bolding text or changing its alignment.
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Tabs

Groups
Commands
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 Computer Software
Application Software

Beta version of a software application is a pre-

release version that is typically released to a
limited group of users for testing purposes. Here
are some of the reasons why software
developers release beta versions:
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• To get feedback from users on the features
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• To identify and fix any bugs before the
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software is released to the public.
• To test the software in a real-world
environment with a variety of users and
devices.

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