application software
Information about application software
Application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to both the application software and its implementation.
A simple, if imperfect analogy in the world of hardware would be the relationship of an electric light bulb (an application) to an electric power generation plant (a system). The power plant merely generates electricity, not itself of any real use until harnessed to an application like the electric light that performs a service that benefits the user.
Typical examples of software applications are word processors, spreadsheets, and media players.
Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite. Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and several other discrete applications, are typical examples. The separate applications in a suite usually have a user interface that has some commonality making it easier for the user to learn and use each application. And often they may have some capability to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user. For example, a spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application.
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.
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.
A simple, if imperfect analogy in the world of hardware would be the relationship of an electric light bulb (an application) to an electric power generation plant (a system). The power plant merely generates electricity, not itself of any real use until harnessed to an application like the electric light that performs a service that benefits the user.
Typical examples of software applications are word processors, spreadsheets, and media players.
Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite. Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and several other discrete applications, are typical examples. The separate applications in a suite usually have a user interface that has some commonality making it easier for the user to learn and use each application. And often they may have some capability to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user. For example, a spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application.
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.
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.
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OpenOffice.org is a well-known example of application software
Application software vs. Operating system
The exact delineation between the operating system and application software is not precise, however, and is occasionally subject to 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 Linux operating system.Application software classification
There are many subtypes of application software:- Enterprise software addresses the needs of organization processes and data flow, often in a large distributed ecosystem. (Examples include Financial, Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain Management). 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 create Enterprise Software systems. (Examples include Databases, Email servers, and Network and Security Management)
- 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 Media and Entertainment Software, but has distinct requirements for delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress through material. It is also related to collaboration software in that many Educational Software systems 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.
- 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.
See also
- List of software applications
- Software systems
Enterprise software
Enterprise infrastructure software
- Business workflow software
- Database management system (DBMS) software
- Digital asset management (DAM) software
- Document Management software
- Geographic Information System (GIS) software
Information worker software
- Time and Resource Management
- Accounting software
- Task and Scheduling
- Data Management
- Contact Management
- Spreadsheet
- Personal Database
- Documentation
- Word Processing
- Desktop publishing software
- Diagramming Software
- Presentation software
- Analytical software
- Baudline
- DADiSP
- Digital dashboard
- HEC-RAS
- JMP
- Maple
- MathCAD
- Mathematica
- MATLAB
- Maxima
- Minitab
- Computer algebra systems
- Statistical packages
- Numerical computing
- Neural network software
- NEi Nastran
- Collaborative software
- Blog
- Day trading software
- Wiki
Content access software
- Electronic media software
- Web browser
- Media players
- Hybrid editor players
- Entertainment software
- Digital pets
- Screen savers
- Computer and Video Games
- Arcade
- Emulators for console games
- Handheld Game Consoles Games
- Video Game Console Games
- Wireless or Mobile Phone Games
Educational software
- Classroom Management
- Edutainment Software
- Learning/Training Management Software
- Reference software
- Sales Readiness Software
- Survey Management
Simulation software
- Simulators
- Scientific simulators
- Social simulators
- Battlefield simulators
- Emergency simulators
- Vehicle simulators
- Flight simulator
- Driving simulator
- Simulation games
Media development software
- Image organizer
- Media content creating/editing
- Graphic art software
- Image editing software
- Video editing software
- Sound editing software
- Music sequencer
- Scorewriter
- Hypermedia editing software
- Web Development Software
- Media content formats
- Media data formats
- Raster graphics
- Vector graphics
- 3D graphics
- Animation
- Video
- Digital audio
- MIDI
- Media file formats
- Graphic file formats
- Video file formats
- Audio file formats
Product engineering software
- Hardware Engineering
- Computer-aided engineering
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
- NEi Nastran Finite Element Analysis
- Software Engineering
- Computer Languages
- Compiler Software
- Integrated Development Environments
External links
Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some task on a computer system. [1]
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System software is a generic term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a task. It is an essential part of the computer system.
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Application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities,
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Analogy is both the cognitive process of transferring information from a particular subject (the analogue or source) to another particular subject (the target), and a linguistic expression corresponding to such a process.
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A word processor (more formally known as document preparation system) is a computer application used for the production (including composition, editing, formatting, and possibly printing) of any sort of printable material.
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spreadsheet is a rectangular table (or grid) of information, often financial information. The word came from "spread" in its sense of a newspaper or magazine item (text and/or graphics) that covers two facing pages, extending across the center fold and treating the two pages as one
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Media Player was a media player originally included in Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions and a slightly updated version was included with Windows 3.1x. Media Player received a facelift with Video for Windows, with an OLE2 version provided with the runtime software.
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Maintainer: Microsoft
OS: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Use: Office suite
License: Proprietary
Website: office.microsoft.com
Microsoft Office
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OS: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Use: Office suite
License: Proprietary
Website: office.microsoft.com
Microsoft Office
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OpenOffice.org (OO.o or OOo) is an office suite application available free of charge for a number of different computer operating systems. It supports the OpenDocument standard for data interchange as its default file formats, as well as Microsoft Office '97-2003
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The user interface (or Human Machine Interface) is the aggregate of means by which people (the users) interact with a particular machine, device, computer program or other complex tool (the system).
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User-written software is software written by users. Typically, "user-written software" refers to add-ons to a software package written by its users, often customers of the company that sells the package.
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An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions.[1] It is usually embedded as part of a complete device including hardware and mechanical parts.
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DVD
Media type: Optical disc
Capacity: 4.7 GB (single layer), 8.5 GB (dual layer)
Usage: Data storage, audio, video, games
Optical disc authoring
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Media type: Optical disc
Capacity: 4.7 GB (single layer), 8.5 GB (dual layer)
Usage: Data storage, audio, video, games
Optical disc authoring
- Optical disc
- Optical disc image
- Recorder hardware
- Authoring software
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microwave oven, or microwave, is a kitchen appliance employing microwave radiation primarily to cook or heat food. Microwave ovens have revolutionized food preparation since their use became widespread in the 1970s.
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An operating system (OS) is the software that manages the sharing of the resources of a computer. An operating system processes system data and user input, and responds by allocating and managing tasks and internal system resources as a service to users and programs of the
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United States v. Microsoft, 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000) was a set of consolidated civil actions filed against Microsoft Corporation on May 18, 1998 by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and twenty U.S. states. Joel I. Klein was the lead prosecutor.
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United States
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- Sherman Antitrust Act
- Clayton Antitrust Act
- Robinson-Patman Act
- Federal Trade Commission Act
- Essential facilities doctrine
- Noerr-Pennington doctrine
- Rule of reason
- European Community
competition law
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Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of proprietary graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems
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A web browser is a software application that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music and other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network.
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Microsoft Windows
Screenshot of Windows Vista Ultimate, the latest version of Microsoft Windows.
Company/developer: Microsoft Corporation
OS family: MS-DOS/9x-based, Windows CE, Windows NT
Source model: Closed source
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Screenshot of Windows Vista Ultimate, the latest version of Microsoft Windows.
Company/developer: Microsoft Corporation
OS family: MS-DOS/9x-based, Windows CE, Windows NT
Source model: Closed source
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The GNU/Linux naming controversy is a dispute between members of the free and open source software community relating to the normative branding of the computer operating systems commonly referred to as Linux.
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Linux kernel is a Unix-like operating system kernel. It is the namesake of the Linux family of operating systems. Released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and developed by contributors worldwide, Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source
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Linux (pronunciation: IPA: /ˈlɪnʊks/, lin-uks) is a Unix-like computer operating system. Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free software and open source development; its underlying source code can be
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Enterprise software is software that "solves" an enterprise problem (rather than a departmental problem) and usually enterprise software is written using Enterprise Software Architecture.
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Educational software is computer software whose primary purpose is teaching or self-learning.
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History
Early History, 1940s - 1970s
The use of computer hardware and software in education and training dates to the early 1940s, when American researchers developed..... Click the link for more information.
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Electronic media are that utilize electronics or electromechanical energy for the end user (audience) to access the content. This is in contrast to static media (mainly print media), which are most often created electronically, but don't require electronics to be accessed by the
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A software system is a system based on software forming part of a computer system (a combination of hardware and software). Major types of software system include application software, programming software and system software, although the distinction can sometimes be difficult.
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A workflow is a reliably repeatable pattern of activity enabled by a systematic organization of resources, defined roles and mass, energy and information flows, into a work process that can be documented and learned.
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A database management system (DBMS) is computer software designed for the purpose of managing databases. Typical examples of DBMSs include Oracle, DB2, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, FileMaker and Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise.
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