| Application software is a subclass of computer | | | | software and the operating system software may be |
| software that employs the capabilities of a computer | | | | indistinguishable to the user, as in the case of software |
| directly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This | | | | used to control a VCR, DVD player or Microwave |
| should be contrasted with system software which is | | | | Oven. |
| involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, | | | | There are many subtypes of Application Software: |
| but typically does not directly apply them in the | | | | Enterprise software addresses the needs of |
| performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this | | | | organization processes and data flow, often in a large |
| context the term application refers to both the | | | | distributed ecosystem. (Examples include Financial, |
| application software and its implementation. | | | | Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain |
| A simple, if imperfect, analogy in the world of | | | | Management). Note that Departmental Software is a |
| hardware would be the relationship of an electric | | | | sub-type of Enterprise Software with a focus on |
| light—an application—to an electric | | | | smaller organizations or groups within a large |
| power generation plant—the system. The | | | | organization. (Examples include Travel Expense |
| power plant merely generates electricity, itself not | | | | Management, and IT Helpdesk) |
| really of any use until harnessed to an application like | | | | Enterprise infrastructure software provides common |
| the electric light which performs a service that the user | | | | capabilities needed to create Enterprise Software |
| desires. | | | | systems. (Examples include Databases, Email servers, |
| The exact delineation between the operating system | | | | and Network and Security Management) |
| and application software is not precise, however, and | | | | Information worker software addresses the needs of |
| is occasionally subject to controversy. For example, | | | | individuals to create and manage information, often for |
| one of the key questions in the United States v. | | | | individual projects within a department, in contrast to |
| Microsoft antitrust trial was whether Microsoft's | | | | enterprise management. Examples include time |
| Internet Explorer web browser was part of its | | | | management, resource management, documentation |
| Windows operating system or a separable piece of | | | | tools, analytical, and collaborative. Word processors, |
| application software. As another example, the GNU | | | | spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal |
| Linux naming controversy is, in part, due to | | | | information system, and individual media editors may |
| disagreement about the relationship between the Linux | | | | aid in multiple information worker tasks. |
| kernel and the Linux operating system. | | | | Media and entertainment software addresses the |
| Typical examples of software applications are word | | | | needs of individuals and groups to consume digital |
| processors, spreadsheets, and media players. | | | | entertainment and published digital content. (Examples |
| Multiple applications bundled together as a package are | | | | include Media Players, Web Browsers, Help browsers, |
| sometimes referred to as an application suite. | | | | and Games) |
| Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, which bundle | | | | Educational software is related to Media and |
| together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and | | | | Entertainment Software, but has distinct requirements |
| several other discrete applications, are typical | | | | for delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress |
| examples. The separate applications in a suite usually | | | | through material. It is also related to collaboration |
| have a user interface that has some commonality | | | | software in that many Educational Software systems |
| making it easier for the user to learn and use each | | | | include collaborative capabilities. |
| application. And often they may have some capability | | | | Media development software addresses the needs of |
| to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the | | | | individuals who generate print and electronic media for |
| user. For example, a spreadsheet might be able to be | | | | others to consume, most often in a commercial or |
| embedded in a word processor document even | | | | educational setting. This includes Graphic Art software, |
| though it had been created in the separate | | | | Desktop Publishing software, Multimedia Development |
| spreadsheet application. | | | | software, HTML editors, Digital Animation editors, Digital |
| User-written software tailors systems to meet the | | | | Audio and Video composition, and many others. |
| user's specific needs. User-written software include | | | | Product engineering software is used in developing |
| spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, | | | | hardware and software products. This includes |
| scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts. | | | | computer aided design (CAD), computer aided |
| Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users | | | | engineering (CAE), computer language editing and |
| create this software themselves and often overlook | | | | compiling tools, Integrated Development Environments, |
| how important it is. | | | | and Application Programmer Interfaces. |
| In some types of embedded systems, the application | | | | |