Different Types of Application Software

What is application software? What are the different types of application software? Know it
all along with some examples of application software

Computer software is defined as a set of programs and procedures that are intended to
perform specific tasks on a computer system. A software program is a set of instructions that
are aimed at changing the state of computer hardware. At the lowest level, software is in the
form of an assembly language, a set of instructions in a machine-understandable form. At
the highest level, software is in the form of high-level languages, which are compiled or
interpreted into machine language code.

Major Types of Software

Computer software systems are classified into three main types, namely, system
software, programming software and application software. System software comprises
device drivers, operating systems, servers and other such software components, which help
the programmer abstract away from the memory and hardware features of the system.
Programming software assists the programmer in writing programs by providing him/her with
tools such as editors, compilers, linkers, debuggers and more. Application software, one of
the most important types of software, are used to achieve certain specific tasks.

What is Application Software?

Application software utilizes the capacities of a computer directly for a dedicated
task. Application software is able to manipulate text, numbers and graphics. It can be in the
form of software focused on a certain single task like word processing, spreadsheet or
playing of audio and video files. Here we look at the application software types along with
some examples of application software of each type.

Different Types of Application Software

Word Processing Software: This software enables users to create and edit documents.
The most popular examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad and Notepad
among other text editors.

Database Software: Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies

on database software to organize data and enable database users to perform database
operations. Database software allows users to store and retrieve data from databases.
Examples are Oracle, MS Access, etc.

Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of
spreadsheet software. Spreadsheet software allows users to perform calculations using
spreadsheets. They simulate paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a
grid.

Multimedia Software: They allow users to create and play audio and video files. They are
capable of playing media files. Audio converters, audio players, burners, video encoders and
decoders are some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type of software include
Real Player and Media Player.
Presentation Software: The software that is used to display information in the form of a
slide show is known as presentation software. This type of software includes three functions,
namely, editing that allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in
the text and a functionality of executing slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best
example of presentation software.

Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs of organization processes and data flow.
Customer relationship management or the financial processes in an organization are carried
out with the help of enterprise software.

Information Worker Software: Individual projects within a department and individual needs
of creation and management of information are handled by information worker software.
Documentation tools, resource management tools and personal management systems fall
under the category of this type of application software.

Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also
has the capabilities of a collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning.
Dictionaries like Britannica and Encarta, mathematical software like MATLAB and others like
Google Earth and NASA World Wind are some of the well-known names in this category.

Simulation Software: Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software

finds applications in both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific
simulators are examples of simulation software.

Content Access Software: It is used to access content without editing. Common examples
of content access software are web browsers and media players.

Application Suites: An application suite is an important type of application software. It

consists of a group of applications combined to perform related functions. OpenOffice and
Microsoft Office are the best examples of this type of application software. These application
suites, as you know, come as bundles of applications like word processors, spreadsheets,
presentation software, etc. Applications in the suite can work together or operate on each
other's files.

Software that aid Engineering and Development of Products: This software are used in
the design and development of hardware and software products. Integrated development
environments (IDE) and computer language editing tools falls under this type of application
software. Interestingly, software products are developed using other software, and software
communicate with one another through software. Application programming interfaces which
aid the communication of two or more software, are examples of this application software
type.

Also see: Examples of Application Software.

Application software is available in different forms such as these.

Licensed: A majority of software applications are licensed and not sold. In this case, a user
purchases a software license and not the software itself. The vendor allows for the
installation of this software on a specific number of machines. Sometimes, the license is
limited to a certain number of users. Most software licenses allow you to run the application
on only one machine, although you are allowed to copy the software on other machines for
backup purposes. Licenses disallow the resale of software.

Sold: As opposed to licensed software, this software are sold to users. You need to
purchase this type of software from the vendor in which case, you own a legitimate copy of
the software. This allows you to resale the software.

As Freeware: Application software that can be downloaded, used and copied without any
restrictions is known as freeware. Generally small programs are released as freeware and
are open for use.

As Shareware: This application software can be downloaded but you need to pay some
amount for using them. Generally, mid-size software developed by software companies are
made available as shareware.

Open Source: Open-source software, as their name suggests, are made available with their
source code. The code is open for modification and use. People mistake open-source
software for free. But note that here, 'free' refers to the freely available source code, thus
making the software open for further development by users.

Needs to be Installed: This is true with many applications’ software; for example,
spreadsheet software, word processors, data management software, etc. They need to be
installed on your computer hard drive for use.

Runs Online: Antivirus software runs online. Similarly, Internet games that you can play
online and which don't need to be downloaded fall under this category.

Simply put, application software are software designed for specific purposes, or meant for
specific applications. Application software is of great use in completing individual and
organizational tasks, as they have user-friendly features and are easy and interactive to use.