Application Software is any software developed to the benefit of the user. It is developed to solve a particular human problem, provide entertainment or perform useful work in specific tasks. Generally, it performs data/information processing tasks for End Users. It is broadly categorized into either general purpose or special purpose application software.
General Purpose Application Software
The general purpose application software is designed to suit the needs of a wide range of users. It is developed for general public use and therefore falls into several categories.
The common ones, such as word processors, spreadsheet, database management packages, significantly increase the productivity of end users are therefore called Productivity Software or Productivity Packages. Most widely used productivity packages come bundled together as Software Suites. The table below illustrates some popular ones.
Program
|
Microsoft Office
|
Lotus SmartSuite
|
Corel Office
|
Sun StarOffice
|
Word Processor
|
Word
|
WordPro
|
WordPerfect
|
StarWriter
|
Spreadsheet
|
Excel
|
1-2-3
|
Quattro Pro
|
StarCalc
|
Database Manager
|
Access
|
Approach
|
Paradox
|
StarBase
|
Presentation
|
PowerPoint
|
Freelance
|
Presentations
|
StarImpress
|
Personal Information Manager
|
Outlook
|
Organizer
|
Corel Central
|
StarSchedule
|
Other general purpose application software include software for entertainment (music/video players e.g., VLC media player, PowerDVD etc.), Education (e.g., Encarta, Matlab, JFLAP (Java Formal Languages and Automata Package), Google Earth etc.), Web browsers (e.g., Firefox Mozilla, Google Chrome, Opera etc.) and Electronic mail (e.g., Windows Live Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook etc.)
Special Purpose Application Software
It may also be called Bespoke or Custom written application software.
This software is not easily available as is the case of general purpose application software. It is not usually covered by standard off-shelf packages. It is written for specific user or purpose. It is designed and developed for a particular customer.
You may hire the services of a programmer to develop it for you or for your work. They are made on order for particular user and may not be useful for other company or user. Charges of software development, modifications and additions in vary depending on its difficulty and size.
Examples of this software are Point-Of-Sale systems, Library Management Software, School Management Systems, Payroll Systems, Banking Systems, and E-voting Systems etc.
Level: Beginner
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