Chapter 3

Application Software

Matthew Kilrain

Application Software Consists of programs that perform

specific tasks for users. As a business tool To assist with graphics and

multimedia projects To support home, personal, and

educational activities To facilitate communications

Types of Application Software Packaged software

Meets the needs of a wide variety of users. Ex: Word Processing, spreadsheet software

Custom software Performs functions specific to a business or

industry. Shareware

Copyrighted software that is distributed free for a trial period

Types of Application Software continued

Freeware Copyrighted software provided at no

cost to a user by an individual or a company.

Public-Domain software Free software that has been donated

for public use and has no copyright restrictions.

System Software System software serves as an

interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. To run application software you

computer must be running system software.

Ex:Microsoft’s Windows XP, Apple’s Mac OS X

Business Software This is application software

that assists people in becoming more effective and efficient while performing their daily business activities. Ex:

Word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation graphics, personal information manager, PDA software, software suite, project management, and accounting.

Word Processing Software Allows users to create and

manipulate documents containing text and graphics Used to create:

Letters, memos, reports, fax cover sheets, mailing labels, newsletters, and Web pages.

Features: Changing the shape, size and colors of

characters.

Spreadsheet Software This is a widely used type of

application software that allows users to organize data in rows and columns, called worksheets, and perform calculations on the data.

Database Software Database software is an

application software that allows users to create, access, and manage a database. A database is a collection of data

organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data.

Presentation Graphics Software

This is application software that allows users to create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to a group. These presentations can be viewed as

slides, sometimes called slide shows.

Personal Information Managers

Personal Information Software (PIM) is application software that includes an appointment calendar, address book, notepad, and other features to help organize personal information. Many PDA’s today include PIM

software

Graphics and Multimedia Software

This software may be used by power users such as engineers, architects, desktop publishers, and graphic artists.

It includes computer aided design, desktop publishing, paint/image editing, video and audio editing, animation, multimedia authoring, and Web page authoring.

Computer Aided Design Computer Aided Design (CAD) is a

sophisticated type of application software that assists a professional user in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs.

Desktop Publishing Software

Desktop Publishing (DPT) is software that enables professional designers to create sophisticated documents that contain text, graphics, and many colors.

It is useful in the production of high quality color documents such as textbooks, corporate newsletters, marketing literature, product catalogs, and annual reports.

Paint/Imaging Editing Software

This software, also called illustration software, allows users to draw pictures, shapes, and other graphical images with various on-screen tools such as pen, brush, eyedropper, and paint bucket.

It is used by graphic artists, multimedia professionals, technical illustrators and desktop publishers.

Video and Audio Editing Software

Video Editing Software allows users to modify a segment of a video, called a clip.

Audio Editing Software lets users modify audio clips and produce studio-quality soundtracks.

Multimedia Authoring Software

This software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation into an interactive application.

Web page Authoring Software This software helps users of all skill

levels create Web pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation, and other special effects.

Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use

Types of this software include integrated software, personal finance software, legal software, tax preparation software, desktop publishing software, paint/imaging editing software, educational and reference software, and entertainment software.

Integrated Software This combines application software

into a single easy to use package.

Personal Finance Software This is a simplified accounting

program that helps home users and small office/home office users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, track investments, and evaluate financial plans.

Legal Software This software assists in preparation of

legal documents and provides legal information to individuals, families, and small businesses.

It provides standard contracts and documents associated with buying, selling, and renting property; estate planning; marriage and divorce; and preparing a will or living trust.

Desktop Publishing Software

This is a simpler, easy to understand software for home and small business users.

It helps users to create newsletters, brochures, advertisements, postcards, greeting cards, letterhead, business cards, banners, calendars, logos, and Web pages.

Paint/Image Editing Software

This software provides an easy to use interface, usually with more simplified capabilities than its professional counterpart with functions tailored for the home or small business user.

Educational and Reference Software

Educational software is software that teaches a particular skill and it exists for almost any subject .

Many educational programs use a computer based training approach. Computer Based Training (CBT) is a type of

education in which students learn by using and completing exercises with instructional software.

Reference software provides valuable and thorough information for all individuals.

Entertainment Software This is used in personal computers

and includes interactive games, videos, and other programs designed to support a hobby or provide amusement and enjoyment.

Application Software for Communications

This type of software is considered system software because it works with hardware and transmission media. Types of Application Software for

Communications include E-Mail, FTP, Web Browser, Newsgroup/Message Board, Chat Room, Instant Messaging, Video Conferencing/Telephone Calls.

Application Software on the Web

Web application is application software that exists on a Website and stores personal data and information at their sites.

Application Service Providers

This a third party organization that manages and distributes software and services on the Web. There are five ASP categories: Enterprise ASP - Customizes and

delivers high end business applications.

Local/Regional ASP – Offers a variety of software applications to a specific geographical region.

Application Service Providers cont.

Specialist ASP – Delivers applications to meet a specific business need.

Vertical Market ASP – Provides applications for a particular industry.

Volume Business ASP – Supplies prepackaged applications.

Learning Aids and Support Tools For Application

Software Online Help is the electronic

equivalent to a user manual. It provides assistance that helps users increase productivity.

A wizard is an automated assistant that helps a user complete a task by asking questions and then automatically performing actions based on the responses.