Friday, October 8, 2010

Application Software

Also known as an application, is a computer software designed to help the user to perform singular or multiple related specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software, and media players.

Application Software Characteristics

An application thus differs from an operating system (which runs a computer), a utility (which performs maintenance or general-purpose fucntions), and a programming language (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.

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


Examples

Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs of organization processes and data flow. The customer relationship management or the financial processes in an organization are carried out by means of enterprise software.

Information Worker Software: Individual projects within a department and individual needs of creation and management of information are handled by information worker software. Documentation tools, resource management tools and personal management systems fall under the category of this form of application software.

Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the capabilities of collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning.

Simulation Software: Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds applications in both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific simulators find a place in the list of simulation software.

Content Access Software: It is used to access content without editing. The common examples of content access software are web browsers and media players.

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