What is Application Software?
- What is the definition of application software?
- What is Application Software?
- What are the features of application software?
- What are the types of application software?
- What are the functions of application software?
- What are the differences between system software and application software?
- What are the advantages of application software?
- What are the disadvantages of application software?
Application Software
A software is a program that contains a set of instructions to perform a particular task. It can be mainly classified into two parts- application software and system software.
The second part, system software is a program that provides a basis for running all the applications or application software on the system. Operating system is a prime example of system software. This article is in view of the first part- Application software which acts as an intermediary between the system and the user. Through this software a user is able to perform his operations on the system.
Application Software Definition
Application software is a computer program that performs a specific task, be it educational, personal or commercial. It is also known as end-user program or productivity program.
What is Application Software?
Application software, or app for short, is software that performs specific tasks for the end user.
An application is any program, or group of programs, designed for end users. Application software (also called end-user programs) includes things like database programs, word processors, web browsers, and spreadsheets.
Application software, or simply applications, are often called productivity programs or end user programs because they allow users to create documents, spreadsheets, databases and publications, search online, send emails, design graphics, run businesses, and even play games. are for!
Application software is specific to the task it is designed for and can be as simple as a calculator application or as complex as a word processing application.
When you start creating a document, word processing software has already set up margins, font styles and sizes, and line spacing for you. But you can change these settings, and you have many more format options.
For example, word processor applications make it easy to delete, copy, move, or change colors, headings, and colors to add to the picture or change the appearance of a document to suit your needs.
Each of the computer application software programs has been developed to help you with a particular process that may be related to creativity, productivity or better communication. It helps you complete your tasks, be it jotting down notes, completing your online research, setting alarms, keeping account logs and even playing games .
Unlike system software, computer application software programs are specialized in their functionality and the work they are designed to do. For example, a browser is an application used exclusively for browsing the Internet. Similarly, MS PowerPoint is an application specifically designed for creating presentations.
Application software is also called non-essential software and its absence does not affect the functioning of the system. All the apps that we see on our smartphones are examples of application software.
Often, software applications are simply remembered as “applications” because they facilitate users to perform their tasks in an easy and effective manner. A wide variety of operations can be performed with these application software. These include creating spreadsheets, writing emails, and playing games. It is essential to know that every application software is designed to perform some specific tasks like a calculator is only for performing numerical calculations. Another popular example of application software may be the Microsoft Word application which is a single suite that includes multiple functions. In this, the user can also change the setting according to his convenience.
Features of Application Software
In order to ensure the smooth operation of the related work, an application software with multiple capabilities is developed for the convenience of its users.
Following are some of the salient features of application software:
An application software is specifically designed to perform a set of tasks. Thus, it can be seen as an efficient tool, which is used to solve a particular set of problems.
Application software collects and manages the massive amount of available information so that it can be used to create easy to understand data visuals.
An application software provides a simple interface through which users can communicate with a computer to perform a specific task.
Application software is easy to design.
Due to its size, more space is required for its storage.
An application software designed for end-users is developed using high level language.
What are the types of application software?
- word processors
- graphics software
- database software
- spreadsheet software
- presentation software
- Web browsers
- Enterprise software
- information worker software
- multimedia software
- Education and reference software
- content access software
The categories of application software you use depend on your needs, some of which are listed below:
1.Presentation Software:
Presentation software enables you to use visual information to put forward your ideas easily and with good clarity. It allows you to display information in the form of slides. You can make your slides more informative and more enjoyable by adding text, images, graphs and videos. It has three components:
- Text editor and text formats for input
- Insert graphics, text, video and multimedia files
- Slideshow to display information
2. Web Browsers:
These software applications are used to browse the internet which enable you to search and retrieve data across the web. The most popular are Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.
3. Multimedia Software:
It lets you create or record pictures and create audio or video files. This software is extensively used in animation, graphics, image and video editing. Popular examples are VLC Media Player and Windows Media Player.
4. Education and Reference Software:
This application software, also known as academic software, is specially designed to facilitate the learning of a particular subject. This category includes different types of tutorial software. Some of these are JumpStart, MindPlay and Kid Pix.
5. Graphics Software:
Graphics software allows you to edit or make changes to visual data or images. This includes illustration and picture editor software. Adobe Photoshop and PaintShop Pro are some examples of graphics software.
6. Spreadsheet Software:
Spreadsheet software is used to perform the calculations. In this software, the data is stored in a table format. Intersecting areas, called cells, are separated to define fields such as text, date, time, and numbers. It allows users to provide formulas and functions to perform calculations. Microsoft Excel is a good example of spreadsheet software.
7. Database software:
Database software is used to create and manage databases. A DBMS (also known as Database Management System.) It helps you to organize your data. Therefore, when you run an application, the data is fetched from the database, modified and stored back in the database.Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB and IBM Db2 are some of the popular databases.
8.Word Processing Software:
It is used to format and manipulate text, thus, creating memos, letters, faxes and documents. Word processing software is also used to format and beautify text. It provides you many features apart from thesaurus and synonyms and antonyms. Along with the Word Art features, Font Options lets you change the font color, effect and style as per your preference. Grammar and spelling-check options are also available to check for errors.
9.Simulation Software:
Simulation software is used in the fields of engineering, education, testing and video games etc. It is used to operate on a real system that is unacceptable, inaccessible or perhaps dangerous. It is a program that lets you study or observe or observe phenomena through simulation without actually performing that operation. The best examples of simulation are in the field of robotics, flight systems and weather forecasting etc.
Apart from these, there are many others in the category of application software which serve specific purposes.
10. Freeware:
As the very name indicates, it is available for free. You can download it from the internet and use it without any charges. However, this software does not charge you any fees for modifying or distributing it. Adobe Reader and Skype are good examples of this software.
11. Shareware:
It is distributed free of charge to users on a trial basis, usually with a limited time offer. Users are expected to pay if they wish to continue using the Software. Some examples of shareware are WinZip and Adobe Acrobat.
12. Productivity Software:
Productivity software is a type of business software that helps users to perform their jobs more efficiently and complete work-related tasks in a timely manner. Productivity software includes these categories:
- Document Creation
- Database Management
- Accounting
- collaboration
- The applications that an organization uses for its overall productivity are sometimes referred to as software or application stacks.
13. Time Management Software
Time management software is a type of business software that tracks how a person’s digital system is used, for example, it keeps records of how much time users spend on certain applications.
14. Customer Relationship Management
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a type of business software used by companies – usually through a bundle of integrated applications – to solicit, review, store and analyze customer data, and manage customer interactions. To facilitate and facilitate the sales process and relevant partner relationship.
15. Project Management Software
Project Management (PM) software is a type of business software designed to plan and execute projects and to manage the resources associated with those projects.
PM software assists users with functions such as scheduling, assigning tasks, managing budgets and costs, documenting progress, and reporting results.
16. Business Application Software
Business application software is a subset of application software. These programs are designed to facilitate certain business tasks, improve accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
Business application software programs achieve certain objectives such as saving work time and increasing productivity.
Below are some popular examples of business applications that are commonly used by organizations:
- Enterprise Resource Planning
- Customer Relationship Management
- Project Management Software
- Business Process Management Software
- Word Processor
- Spreadsheet
- Database
- Resource Management Software
- Productivity Software
- Scheduling Software
- Time Management Software
- Educational Software
17. Enterprise Resource Planning:
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a type of business software designed to demand, review, store and efficiently analyze data received from various types of business operations – usually through a bundle of integrated applications.
18. Communication Software:
Allows connected computers to communicate with each other using a computer, audio, video or chat-based medium.
Example: MS Net Meeting, IRC, ICQ
19. Database Software:
Used to store data like text information, membership, address, etc. which helps the users to sort the information accordingly.
Example: MS Access, FileMaker Pro
20. Email Programs:
This software is mainly used for sending and receiving emails.
Example: MS Outlook, Netscape Messenger
22. Open Source:
This type of software is available with source code that allows you to modify the software, and even add features to the software. These can either be free or can be trees. Moodle and Apache web servers are some examples.
23. Closed Source:
Most of the software packages you may use belong to this category. These are usually trees and have intellectual property rights or patents on the source code. It usually comes with restricted access.
What are the functions of application software?
Functions of an Application Software
Application software programs are designed to facilitate a large number of functions. Some of these include managing information, creating visualizations, manipulating data, coordinating resources, and computing data.
What are the differences between system software and application software?
Difference Between System Software and Application Software
How is system software different from application software?
System software is a computer program that runs the computer’s hardware as well as the application program and the interface between the actual hardware and the application.
An example of system software is an operating system, which manages all other programs on a computer.
What are the advantages of application software?
Advantages of Application Software
Since the application software is designed for a specific purpose, it easily meets the needs of the users.
Since they are usually customized applications, the chances of virus attacks are less. Users using it can restrict access, as well as protect their network.
Most of the applications are software licensed and hence they are regularly updated by the developer for security reasons. Also, the developers keep track of any issues that arise from time to time.
What are the disadvantages of application software?
Disadvantages of Application Software in Hindi:
Development of specific purpose oriented software can prove to be cost and time effective. Developers may face hurdles in getting revenue if the software is not acceptable.
Single purpose software may face conflict with normal software. This may affect some business.
Constant communication between the developer and the customer is essential for developing application software. This delays the whole process.
Since they are used by multiple users, the chances of getting affected by virus or malicious software are high.