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