What is Application Software?

-Application software (App) is a kind of software that performs specific functions for the end user
by interacting directly with it. The sole purpose of application software is to aid the user in doing
specified tasks.

Example :
(Web browsers like Firefox, and Google Chrome, as well as Microsoft Word and Excel, are
examples of application software that is used on a personal computer or laptop.)

(It also includes smartphone apps) such as WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as games such as
Candy Crush Saga and Ludo.

(There are also app versions of popular services that people rely on every day, such as weather
or transportation information, as well as apps that connect end users with their businesses.)

Functions of Application Software

Application software programs are generally designed and developed to help with a wide range
of tasks. Here are a few examples:
  Managing information and data in an organization
 Managing and checking documents across

 Software for educational purposes such as Learning Management Systems and

e-learning systems

 Development of visuals and video for presentation purposes

 Emails, text messaging, audio and video conferencing involved in presentation

 Management of accounting, finance, and payroll helping the HR department and

other businesses

AND SO ON.

A variety of explicit application software programs are available to help you manage your tasks,
jot down notes, do online research, set alarms, keep an account log, and even play games.

( Application software packages are designed to do certain tasks, ease workflows, and improve
team communication.)

The most frequent applications used by millions of people on a daily basis are listed
below.

 A collection of Microsoft software including MS Office, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and

Outlook.

 Common Internet browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.

 Graphics and designing software such as Canva, Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, and
AutoCAD.
 Real-time online communication tools like Skype, Hangouts, Google Meet, Zoom,
and Whatsapp for video, and audio calls and messages.

 Multimedia and music streaming software such as Wynk, Gaana, MX Player, VLC
Media Player, Spotify, Pandora, etc. are used for entertainment purposes.

Need of Application Software

End-users can use application software to perform any type of single or many tasks.
Following are a few reasons you would definitely need application software (App) on
your computer:

 Helps the user in completing specific tasks: ( Any application software should, in general, be
created with the end user in mind. They will primarily benefit the end-user by assisting them
in doing specialized activities in a range of industries, including education, business, and
entertainment. Microsoft Word, for example, is a commonly used application software that
allows users to create, edit, delete, and perform other actions on word documents.)

 Manages and manipulates data: (Application software is used in businesses to manage and
alter employee, customer, and other databases. An enterprise resource management system
or a customer relationship management system are two common examples of application
software.)
 Allows users to effectively organize information: (Data can be created and handled efficiently
by individual users using application software. For example, Microsoft Excel is a very popular
application software amongst companies that allows users to manage datasheets.)

Types of Application Software

Application software can also be classified depending on how easily it can be accessed.
Here are some examples of application software:

1. Word Processing Software

Word Processing refers to the act of using a personal computer (PC) or laptop to create,
edit, save and print documents which can be performed only with specialized software
known as a Word Processor. One example of a Word Processor is Microsoft Word
which is widely used by all professionals.

2. Spreadsheet Software

Spreadsheet software is a type of computer program that enables a user to perform

numerical functions and explore numbers through an automated version of an
accounting worksheet. Best example of spreadsheet software is Microsoft Excel.

3. Presentation Software

Presentation software also commonly known as presentation graphics is a particular

category of application program used to construct sequences of words and a series of
pictures that tell a story or help support a speech or public presentation of any type of
information or a launch of new products or services.

(a presentation program is a software package used to display information in the form of a slide
show. )

(example: Visme, Prezi, SlideDog, Haiku Deck, Slidebean, Powtoon and

Zoho Show)

4. Multimedia Software
Multimedia software can be described as the combination of text, audio, images,
animation, or video to produce a wide scope of interactive content for both professional
and personal use. You can easily learn about media players, file formats, and how to
operate audio and video software on the whole.

(Multimedia software is defined as the combination of text, audio,

images, animation, or video to produce interactive content. Learn
about media players, file formats, and how to work with audio and
video software.)

(Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Prezi)

5. Web Browsers

A web browser can take you all over the internet. It retrieves data from other parts of the
web and shows it on your desktop or mobile device for your viewing. The data is
transmitted using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which describes how text, images,
and video are shared on the World Wide Web.

( A software application used to access information on the World Wide Web is called a
Web Browser. When a user requests some information, the web browser fetches the
data from a web server and then displays the webpage on the user's screen.)

(example: google, safari and so on)

6. Educational Software

Educational software refers to any computer software designed solely for educational
reasons. It includes a wide range of software, including language learning software,
classroom management software (CMS), and reference software for students and other
professionals.

(any computer software that is made for an educational purpose.)

(example: kahoot, google classroom. Google schalor , lms and so on)

7. Graphics Software

Graphics software can rework with bitmap and/or vector graphics and can be utilized to
create label templates. Graphics software generally includes Canva, Adobe Illustrator,
Photoshop, InDesign, CorelDraw, Inkscape, Microsoft Paint, and Paint.Net

(In computer graphics, graphics software refers to a program or collection of programs that enable a
person to manipulate images or models visually on a computer. ).

(example: canva, sketch, photoshops)

8. Freeware

Freeware is typically marketed for profit but might be allocated specifically for a
business or commercial purpose with the aim to expand the market share of any newly
launched premium product. Some of the widespread examples of closed-source
freeware include Adobe Reader, Free Studio, and Skype.

(Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but
might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the aim to expand the
marketshare of a "premium" product. Example Adobe Reader, Free Studio and so on)

9. Shareware

Shareware is software that is supplied for free on a trial basis in order for the user to
test or use the programme for a specific amount of days with the understanding that the
user may need or want to pay for it later if they are satisfied with the product usage.
Some software manufacturers provide a shareware edition of their product with an
expiration date built in, such that after 30 days, the user or customer will no longer be
able to access the application for further use.

(Shareware is a type of proprietary software that is initially shared by

the owner for trial use at little or no cost. Often the software has
limited functionality or incomplete documentation until the user sends
payment to the software developer. Shareware is often offered as a
download from a website.)

(example of this is picsart, )

10. Simulation Software

Simulation software authorizes engineers to evaluate, optimize, and compare product

designs with other similar software by modeling real-world events in a computer-
generated environment.

(t is, essentially, a program that allows the user to observe an operation through
simulation without actually performing that operation)

(example: weather forecasting, flight simulators used for training pilots, and car crash
modeling.)

11. Open Source

Open source software is a specific code designed to be publicly accessible so that

anyone can see, modify, and distribute the code as they see which fits the purpose. It is
designed in a decentralized and coordinated way, depending on peer assessment and
community production.

(Open source software is code that is designed to be publicly accessible—anyone can

see, modify, and distribute the code as they see fit. Example: Firefox, Chrome,
OpenOffice)

12. Closed Source

Closed source software is where the source code is not freely accessible. It is
developed and delivered to the customer as a fully compiled, executable set of files.
The developer often provides aid to users after purchase and ensures that the software
works as foreseen by the creator.

(Closed source (or proprietary software) means computer programs whose source code
is not published. The source code is not shared with the public for anyone to look at or
change. Closed source is the opposite of open source. Example Microsoft
Windows, Microsoft Office)