ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

College of Business and Economics

Basic Computer Skill of Microsoft

Applications(CoSc-2201)

TITLE – The difference between General purpose application software

package (GPSP) and Special purpose application software package (SPSP)

Elroe Tigistu - UGR/7012/15

Introduction

I
n this dynamic era nothing remains unchanged. Even in the world of Animalia, they

evolve depending on the environment to fit and survive. On the side of humans, we are

social animals who can do a lot of things more than huddling and feeding our stomach.

One of the greatest discovery is technology. From the invention of the wheel to the advent of the

internet, the discovery and development of technology have significantly shaped the course of

human history. Technology, in its broadest sense, encompasses tools, machines, and systems that

humans create to solve problems, improve efficiency, and enhance the quality of life. One of the

discoveries are application software. But leaving the wide topic we just discuss the main

differences between General-purpose and Special purpose application software.

1) A general-purpose application software

package(GPSP)

A general-purpose application software package is designed to meet a wide range of user needs,

rather than being tailored for a specific function. These types of software packages are versatile

and can be used in various contexts. The common types of general-purpose application software

are:

1.1 Word Processors: Used for creating, editing, and formatting text

documents. Examples include Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice Writer.
1.2 Spreadsheets: Used for organizing, analyzing, and storing data in

tabular form. Ex: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc.

1.3 Presentation Software: Used for creating and displaying

presentations. Examples include Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and LibreOffice

Impress.

1.4 Database Management Systems: Used for storing,

retrieving, and managing large amounts of data. Examples include Microsoft Access,

MySQL, and SQLite.

1.5 Email Clients: Used for sending, receiving, and organizing email.

Examples include Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail.

1.6 Web Browsers: Used for accessing and navigating the internet.

Examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

 These general-purpose applications help users perform a wide variety of tasks

efficiently and effectively. They are essential tools for both personal and professional

use, making them indispensable in today's digital world.

2) Special-purpose application software

package(SPSP)

Special-purpose application software packages are designed to fulfill specific tasks or functions,

often tailored to the needs of a particular industry or type of user. These applications are
optimized for specific activities and usually offer more specialized features than general-purpose

software. Here are a few examples:

2.1 Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software:

 Used by architects, engineers, and designers to create precision drawings or technical

illustrations.

Examples: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Sketch Up.

2.2 Medical Software:

 Designed for healthcare professionals to manage patient records, schedule

appointments, and handle billing.

Examples: Epic, Cerner, Allscripts.

2.3 Accounting Software:

 Helps businesses manage their financial transactions, prepare reports, and comply with

tax regulations.

Examples: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks.

2.4 Video Editing Software:

 Used by filmmakers, videographers, and content creators to edit and produce video

content.

Examples: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve.

2.5 Graphic Design Software:

illustrations.

Examples: Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Affinity Designer.

 Special-purpose software packages are essential for industries and professionals that

require tools tailored to their specific needs. They often provide more advanced

features and greater efficiency for the tasks they are designed to handle.

Differences Between General-Purpose and Special-Purpose

Application Software Packages

General-Purpose Application Software Packages (GPSP):

1. Versatility: Designed to perform a broad range of tasks and can be used by a wide variety of

users in different fields.

Examples: Microsoft Word- Used for creating and editing text documents, Microsoft Excel-

Used for spreadsheets and data analysis, Google Docs- Collaborative document editing.

2. User Base: Suitable for individuals, businesses, students, and various professional fields.

Examples: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Evernote

4. Features: Offer a wide array of functionalities that cater to general needs, such as text editing,

spreadsheet calculations, presentations, and email communication.

Examples: Word processing – MS-word, Google-Docs,

Spread sheet management – MS- Excel, Google Sheet

1. Specificity: Designed to perform specific tasks or serve the needs of a particular industry or

user group.

Examples:

 AutoCAD: Used by architects and engineers for precise technical drawings and

designs.

 QuickBooks: Used by businesses for accounting and financial management.

 Adobe Premiere Pro: Used by video editors for creating and editing video content.

2. User Base: Tailored for specific industries or professional groups, such as healthcare,

engineering, finance, or video production.

3. Features: Provide specialized tools and functionalities that are highly focused on the

requirements of specific tasks, making them indispensable for certain professional activities.

Examples:

 Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software: AutoCAD

 Video Editing Software: Final Cut Pro

 Medical Software: Cerner

Conclusion
 In essence, the primary difference lies in the scope and focus of the software's

functionalities. General-purpose software packages are designed for a broad audience

and a wide range of tasks, while special-purpose software packages are tailored to meet

the specific needs of certain industries or professional activities.