Application software overview

Application software is a subclass of computersoftware and the operating system software may be
software that employs the capabilities of a computerindistinguishable to the user, as in the case of software
directly to a task that the user wishes to perform. Thisused to control a VCR, DVD player or Microwave
should be contrasted with system software which isOven.
involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities,There are many subtypes of Application Software:
but typically does not directly apply them in theEnterprise software addresses the needs of
performance of tasks that benefit the user. In thisorganization processes and data flow, often in a large
context the term application refers to both thedistributed ecosystem. (Examples include Financial,
application software and its implementation.Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain
A simple, if imperfect, analogy in the world ofManagement). Note that Departmental Software is a
hardware would be the relationship of an electricsub-type of Enterprise Software with a focus on
light—an application—to an electricsmaller organizations or groups within a large
power generation plant—the system. Theorganization. (Examples include Travel Expense
power plant merely generates electricity, itself notManagement, and IT Helpdesk)
really of any use until harnessed to an application likeEnterprise infrastructure software provides common
the electric light which performs a service that the usercapabilities needed to create Enterprise Software
desires.systems. (Examples include Databases, Email servers,
The exact delineation between the operating systemand Network and Security Management)
and application software is not precise, however, andInformation 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'senterprise management. Examples include time
Internet Explorer web browser was part of itsmanagement, resource management, documentation
Windows operating system or a separable piece oftools, analytical, and collaborative. Word processors,
application software. As another example, the GNUspreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal
Linux naming controversy is, in part, due toinformation system, and individual media editors may
disagreement about the relationship between the Linuxaid in multiple information worker tasks.
kernel and the Linux operating system.Media and entertainment software addresses the
Typical examples of software applications are wordneeds 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 areinclude Media Players, Web Browsers, Help browsers,
sometimes referred to as an application suite.and Games)
Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, which bundleEducational software is related to Media and
together a word processor, a spreadsheet, andEntertainment Software, but has distinct requirements
several other discrete applications, are typicalfor delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress
examples. The separate applications in a suite usuallythrough material. It is also related to collaboration
have a user interface that has some commonalitysoftware in that many Educational Software systems
making it easier for the user to learn and use eachinclude collaborative capabilities.
application. And often they may have some capabilityMedia development software addresses the needs of
to interact with each other in ways beneficial to theindividuals who generate print and electronic media for
user. For example, a spreadsheet might be able to beothers to consume, most often in a commercial or
embedded in a word processor document eveneducational setting. This includes Graphic Art software,
though it had been created in the separateDesktop Publishing software, Multimedia Development
spreadsheet application.software, HTML editors, Digital Animation editors, Digital
User-written software tailors systems to meet theAudio and Video composition, and many others.
user's specific needs. User-written software includeProduct 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. Usersengineering (CAE), computer language editing and
create this software themselves and often overlookcompiling tools, Integrated Development Environments,
how important it is.and Application Programmer Interfaces.
In some types of embedded systems, the application