- Application software
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OpenOffice.org Writer word processor. OpenOffice.org is a popular example of open source application software.
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with documents. Apps may be bundled with the computer and its system software, or may be published separately. Some users are satisfied with the bundled apps and need never install one.
Application software is contrasted with system software and middleware, which manage and integrate a computer's capabilities, but typically do not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. The system software serves the application, which in turn serves the user.
Similar relationships apply in other fields. For example, a shopping mall does not provide the merchandise a shopper is seeking, but provides space and services for retailers that serve the shopper. Rail tracks similarly support trains, allowing the trains to transport passengers.
Application software applies the power of a particular computing platform or system software to a particular purpose. Some apps such as Microsoft Office are available in versions for several different platforms; others have narrower requirements and are thus called, for example, a Geography application for Windows or an Android application for education or Linux gaming. Sometimes a new and popular application arises which only runs on one platform, increasing the desirability of that platform. This is called a killer application.
Contents
Terminology
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 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. Some application packages offer considerable computing power by focusing on a single task, such as word processing; others, called integrated software, offer somewhat less power but include several applications.[1] User-written software tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs. User-written software include 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.
Application software classification
Application software falls into two general categories; horizontal applications and vertical applications. Horizontal applications are the most popular and widespread in departments or companies. Vertical applications are niche products, designed for a particular type of business or division in a company.
There are many types of application software:
- An application 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 other's files. Business applications often come in suites, e.g. Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org and iWork, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, etc.; but suites exist for other purposes, e.g. graphics or music.
- Enterprise software addresses the needs of organization processes and data flow, often in a large distributed environment. (Examples include financial systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and supply-chain management software). Note that Departmental Software is a sub-type of enterprise software with a focus on smaller organizations 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.)
- Information worker software addresses the needs of individuals to create and manage information, often for individual projects within a department, in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource management, documentation tools, analytical, and collaborative. 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 software used primarily to access content without editing, but may include software that allows for content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to consume digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include Media Players, Web Browsers, Help browsers and Games)
- 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 capabilities.
- Simulation software are computer software for simulation of physical or abstract systems for either research, training or entertainment purposes.
- Media development software addresses the needs of individuals who generate print and electronic media for others to consume, most often in a commercial or educational setting. This includes graphic-art software, desktop publishing software, multimedia development software, HTML editors, digital-animation editors, digital audio and video composition, and many others.[2]
- Mobile applications (mobile apps) run on hand-held devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, portable media players, personal digital assistants and enterprise digital assistants : see mobile application development.
- 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 development environments, and application programmer interfaces.
- A command-line interface is one in which you type in commands to make the computer do something. You have to know the commands and what they do, and type them correctly. DOS and Unix are examples of operating systems that provide command-driven interfaces.
- A graphical user interface (GUI) is one in which you select command choices from various menus, buttons and icons using a mouse. Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Ubuntu are common examples of operating systems which bundle one or more graphical user interfaces.
- A third party server side application that the user may choose to install in his or her account on a social media site or other Web 2.0 web site, for example a facebook app.
Applications can also be classified by computing platform.
Information worker software
- Enterprise resource planning
- Accounting software
- Task and scheduling
- Field service management
- Data management
- Documentation
- Document automation/assembly
- Word processing
- Desktop publishing software
- Diagramming software
- Presentation software
- Blog
- Reservation systems
- Financial software
- Day trading software
- Banking software
- Clearing systems
- arithmetic software
Content access software
Entertainment software
- Digital pets
- Screen savers
- Video games
Educational software
- Classroom management
- Learning/training management software
- Reference software
- Sales readiness software
- Survey management
Enterprise infrastructure software
- Business workflow software
- Database management system (DBMS) software
- Digital asset management (DAM) software
- Document management software
- Geographic information system (GIS) software
Simulation software
- Computer simulators
- Scientific simulators
- Social simulators
- Battlefield simulators
- Emergency simulators
- Vehicle simulators
- Simulation games
Media development software
- Image organizer
- Media content creating/editing
Product engineering software
- Hardware engineering
- Computer-aided engineering
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
- Finite element analysis
- Software engineering
- Computer language editor
- Compiler software
- Integrated development environments
- Game creation software
- Debuggers
- Program testing tools
- License manager
See also
References
- ^ Ceruzzi, Paul E. (2000). A History of Modern Computing. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. ISBN 0262032554.
- ^ Campbell-Kelly, Martin; Aspray, William (1996). Computer: A History of the Information Machine. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 0465029906.
External links
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