Application software

 

 

OpenOffice.org Writer word processor. OpenOffice.org is a popular example of open source application software.

The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), version 2.8. GIMP is freely distributed 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 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. A bridge may similarly support rail tracks which 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 applications 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.

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 tools (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. 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.

With the spread of smartphones and tablet computers around 2010, the short form app was in some popular news accounts restricted to mobile apps.

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). 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 lets users 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 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, and help browsers.)
• 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 simulates physical or abstract systems for either research, training or entertainment purposes.
• Media development software generates 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.
• 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.

Applications can also be classified by computing platform such as a particular operating system, delivery network such as in cloud computing and Web 2.0 applications, or delivery devices such as mobile apps for mobile devices.

The operating system itself can be considered application software when performing simple calculating, measuring, rendering, and word processing tasks not used to control hardware via command-line interface or graphical user interface. This does not include application software bundled within operating systems such as a software calculator or text editor.

Information worker software

• Enterprise resource planning
• Accounting software
• Task and scheduling
• Field service management
• Data management
  • Contact management
  • Spreadsheet
  • Personal database
• Documentation
  • Document automation/assembly
  • Word processing
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Diagramming software
  • Presentation software
  • Email
  • Blog
• Reservation systems
• Financial software
  • Day trading software
  • Banking software
  • Clearing systems
  • arithmetic software

Content access software

• Electronic media software
  • Web browser
  • Media players
  • Hybrid editor players

Entertainment software

• Digital pets
• Screen savers
• Video games
  • Arcade games
  • Video game console emulator
  • Personal computer games
  • Console games
  • Mobile games

Educational software

• Classroom management
• 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
    • Flight simulators
    • Driving simulators
  • Simulation games
    • Vehicle simulation games

Media development software

• Image organizer
• Media content creating/editing
  • 3D computer graphics software
  • Animation software
  • Graphic art software
  • Image editing software
    • Raster graphics editor
    • Vector graphics editor
  • Video editing software
  • Sound editing software
    • Digital audio editor
  • Music sequencer
    • Scorewriter
  • Hypermedia editing software
    • Web development software
  • Game development tool

Product engineering software

• Hardware engineering
  • Computer-aided engineering
  • Computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Finite element analysis
• Software engineering
  • Computer language editor
  • Compiler software
  • Integrated development environment
  • Game development software
  • Debuggers
  • Program testing tools
  • License manager

See also

• Utility software