Application Software

What Are the Categories of Application Software?

Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks. The major categories of application software are business software; graphics and multimedia software; home, personal, and educational software; and communications software. Successful use of application software often requires the use of a utility program.

How Is Software Distributed?

Application software is available in a variety of forms. Packaged software is mass-produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs of a variety of users. Custom software performs functions specific to a business or industry. Web-based software refers to programs hosted by a Web site. Open source software is provided for use, modification, and redistribution. Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed free for a trial period. Freeware is copyrighted software provided at no cost by an individual or a company that retains all rights to the software. Public-domain software is free software donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions.

How Do You Work with Application Software?

Personal computer operating systems often use the concept of a desktop, which is an on-screen work area that has a graphical user interface. To start a program in Windows Vista, move the pointer to the Start button on the taskbar and click the Start button by pressing and releasing a button on the mouse. Then, click the program name on the menu or in a list. Once loaded into memory, the program is displayed in a window on the desktop.


What Are the Key Features of Widely Used Business Programs?

Business software assists people in becoming more effective and efficient while performing daily business activities. Business software includes the following programs. Word processing software, sometimes called a word processor, allows users to create a document by entering text and inserting images, edit the document by making changes, and format the document by changing its appearance. Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in rows and columns, perform calculations, recalculate when data changes, and chart the data. Database software allows users to create, access, and manage a database, which is a collection of data organized to allow access, retrieval, and use of that data. Presentation graphics software allows users to create a slide show that is displayed on a monitor or projection screen. Note taking software enables users to enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, or sketches on a page and then save the page as part of a notebook. A personal information manager (PIM) is software that includes features to help users organize personal information. A huge variety of business software is available for mobile devices, such as smart phones and PDAs. A software suite is a collection of individual programs sold as a single package. At a minimum, software suites include word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and presentation graphics programs. Project management software allows users to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project. Accounting software helps companies record and report their financial transactions. Document management software provides a means for sharing, distributing, and searching through documents by converting them into a format that can be viewed by any user.


What Are the Key Features of Widely Used Graphics and Multimedia Programs?

Graphics and multimedia software includes the following programs. Computer-aided design (CAD) software assists in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs. Desktop publishing (DTP) software enables professional designers to create sophisticated documents that contain text, graphics, and colors. Paint software, also called illustration software, lets users draw graphical images with various on-screen tools. Image editing software provides the capabilities of paint software and includes the capability to enhance and modify existing images. Professional photo editing software is a type of image editing software that allows high-volume digital photo users to edit and customize digital photos. Video editing software allows professionals to modify segments of a video. Audio editing software lets users modify audio clips, produce studio-quality soundtracks, and add audio to video clips. Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in an interactive application. Web page authoring software helps users of all skill levels create Web pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation, and other special effects with interactive content.

What Are the Key Features of Widely Used Home, Personal, and Educational Programs?

Software for home, personal, and educational use includes the following programs. A software suite (for personal use) combines application software such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database into a single package. Personal finance software is an accounting program that helps users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track income and expenses, track investments, and evaluate financial plans. Legal software assists in the preparation of legal documents. Tax preparation software guides users through filing federal taxes. Personal DTP software helps users create newsletters, brochures, flyers, advertisements, greeting and business cards, logos, and Web pages. Personal paint/image editing software provides an easy-to-use interface with functions tailored to meet the needs of home and small business users. Personal photo editing software is a type of image editing software used to edit digital photos. Photo management software helps users view, organize, sort, catalog, and share digital photos. Application software often includes a clip art/image gallery, which is a collection of clip art and photos. Video and audio editing software is used to edit home movies, add music or other sounds, and share movies on the Web. Home design/landscaping software assists with the design, remodeling, or improvement of a home or landscape. Travel and mapping software enables users to view maps, determine route directions, and locate points of interest. Reference software provides valuable and thorough information for all individuals. Educational software teaches a particular skill. Entertainment software includes interactive games, videos, and other programs to support hobbies or provide amusement.

What Are the Types of Application Software Used in Communications?

Application software for communications includes Web browsers to access and view Web pages; e-mail programs to transmit messages via a network; instant messaging software for real-time exchange of messages or files; chat room software to have real-time, online typed conversations; text messaging software; RSS aggregator program to keep track of changes made to Web sites; bog software, or blower, to create and maintain a bog; newsgroup/message board programs that allow online written discussions; FTP programs to upload and download files on the Internet; Void (Internet telephony), which allows users to speak to other users over the Internet; and video conferencing software for meetings on a network.


What Are the Functions of Utility Programs?

Utility programs support the successful use of application software. An antivirus program protects a computer against a computer virus, which is a potentially damaging computer program. A personal firewall detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions. A spyware remover detects and deletes spy ware, aware, and other similar programs. An anti-spam program removes spam (Internet junk mail). A Web filter restricts access to specified Web sites. A pop-up blocker disables pop-up windows. A file manager provides functions related to file and disk management. A file compression utility shrinks the size of a file. A backup utility allows users to copy selected files or an entire hard disk to another storage medium. A media player allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video. A CD/DVD burner writes files on a CD or DVD. A personal computer maintenance utility identifies and fixes operating system and disk problems


What Are the Advantages of Using Web-Based Software

Web-based software, also called a Web application, requires less disk space on a computer than installed software and is less costly to upgrade. An application service provider (ASP) is a third-party organization that manages and distributes software and services on the Web.

What Learning Aids Are Available for Application Software?

To assist in the learning process, many programs offer Help features. Online Help is the electronic equivalent of a user manual. Most online Help links to Web-based help, which provides updates and more comprehensive resources. A template is a document that contains the formatting necessary for a specific document type.

Comments