IT Application Tools in Business Topic 6

Software

INTRODUCTION

Software allows users to create letters, memos, reports, and other documents;
develop multimedia presentations; design Web pages and diagrams; draw and alter
images; record and enhance audio and video clips; prepare and file taxes; play single
player or multiplayer games; compose e-mail messages and instant messages; and much
more. To accomplish these and many other tasks, users work with application software.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

✓ Identify the four categories of application software

✓ Differentiate among the seven forms through which software is available:
packaged software, custom software, Web application, open-source software,
shareware, freeware, and public-domain software
✓ Explain how the operating system and utility programs work with application
software

1. DISUCSSION

Software allows users to create letters, memos, reports, and other documents;
develop multimedia presentations; design Web pages and diagrams; draw and alter
images; record and enhance audio and video clips; prepare and file taxes; play single
player or multiplayer games; compose e-mail messages and instant messages; and much
more.

Application software consists of programs designed to make users more

productive and/or assist them with personal tasks.

Jiann C. Balanlay, LPT, MBA

Lecturer
Department of Information Technology, College of Science, University of Eastern Philippines
 IT Application Tools in Business Topic 6
Software

Application software has a variety of uses:

1. To make business activities more efficient

2. To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
3. To support home, personal, and educational tasks
4. To facilitate communications

Four Categories of Application Software

Application software is available in a variety of forms:

• Packaged software is mass-produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs
of a wide variety of users, not just a single user or company. Packaged software is
available in retail stores or on the Web.

• Custom software performs functions specific to a business or industry. Sometimes a

company cannot find packaged software that meets its unique requirements. In this case,

Jiann C. Balanlay, LPT, MBA

Lecturer
Department of Information Technology, College of Science, University of Eastern Philippines
 IT Application Tools in Business Topic 6
Software

the company may use programmers to develop tailor-made custom software, which
usually costs more than packaged software.

• A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software
from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Many Web sites provide
free access to their programs; some charge a fee. Types of Web applications include e-
mail, word processing, tax preparation, and game programs.

• Open-source software is software provided for use, modification, and redistribution.

This software has no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification of the
software’s internal instructions and its redistribution. Open-source software usually can
be downloaded from the Internet, often at no cost.

• Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a trial period. To use
a shareware program beyond that period, you send payment to the program developer.
Shareware developers trust users to send payment if software use extends beyond the
stated trial period. In some cases, a scaled-down version of the software is distributed
free, and payment entitles the user to the fully functional product.

• Freeware is copyrighted software provided at no cost by an individual or a company

that retains all rights to the software. Thus, programmers typically cannot incorporate
freeware in applications they intend to sell. The word, free, in freeware indicates the
software has no charge.

• Public-domain software has been donated for public use and has no copyright
restrictions. Anyone can copy or distribute public-domain software to others at no cost.

The Role of System Software

System software serves as the interface between the user, the application
software, and the computer’s hardware. To use application software, such as a word
processing program, your computer must be running system software — specifically, an
operating system. Three popular personal computer operating systems are Windows,
Mac OS, and Linux.

Jiann C. Balanlay, LPT, MBA

Lecturer
Department of Information Technology, College of Science, University of Eastern Philippines
 IT Application Tools in Business Topic 6
Software

A Utility Program is a type of system software that assists users with controlling or
maintaining the operation of a computer, its devices, or its software. Utility programs
typically offer features that provide an environment conducive to successful use of
application software.

2. DRILLS

Activity 5

Using an application software (photo editing, video editing tools, word or power
point presentation. Create a video which depicts the new normal learning. To elaborate,
show how you study, how you comply requirements, interact with classmates and
teachers. This is your Project output so for the basis of grading, here’s our rubrics:

EXEMPLARY PROFICIENT DEVELOPING BEGINNING

CRITERIA
4 3 2 1
Descriptions of Descriptions of
Descriptions of scientific Descriptions of scientific
scientific terms, facts, scientific terms, facts,
terms, facts, concepts, terms, facts, concepts,
Knowledge concepts, principles, concepts, principles,
principles, theories, and principles, theories, and
(25%) theories, and methods theories, and methods
methods are complete methods are mostly
are mostly complete are minimally present
and correct complete and correct
and correct and correct

Applications are
Applications are Applications are mostly Applications are
Application mostly thorough,
thorough, appropriate, thorough, appropriate, minimally appropriate
(50%) appropriate, and
and accurate. and accurate. and accurate.
accurate.
Some of the written, Little of the written,
Some of the written, Some of the written,
oral and/or visual oral and/or visual
Communication oral and/or visual oral and/or visual
communication is communication is
(25%) communication is communication is mostly
mostly organized and organized and
organized and effective. organized and effective.
effective. effective.

3. References

E-books

• Deborah Morley - Understanding Computers in a Changing Society. -Cengage Learning

(2014)
• Pradip Dey, Manas Ghosh - Computer Fundamentals and Programming in C, Oxford, 2013
• ET – Innovative Training Works, Inc. 1st Edition, 2012

Jiann C. Balanlay, LPT, MBA

Lecturer
Department of Information Technology, College of Science, University of Eastern Philippines
 IT Application Tools in Business Topic 6
Software

• Shelly.Cashman, Discovering.Computers Complete, Cengage Learning, ISBN-13: 978-1-

4390-7926-3, 2011

Websites

• https://study.com/academy/lesson/computer-
• https://whirlpool.net.au/
• https://www.techwalla.com/
• https://www.google.com/search?
• https://www.pcgamingrace.com/products/gmmk-full-brown-switch
• https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-stylus-for-tablets/
• https://www.kingston.com/en/memory/difference-between-memory-storage

Jiann C. Balanlay, LPT, MBA

Lecturer
Department of Information Technology, College of Science, University of Eastern Philippines