Application software
Application software, also known as an application or app, is computer software designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of the end-user. Examples include a word processor, a spreadsheet, a web browser, a media player, an accounting application, a flight simulator, or a video game.
Application software is distinct from system software, which underlies the applications and is designed to manage the computer hardware and provide basic functions needed by application software (such as operating systems, device drivers, and utility programs). Application software relies on system software to run.
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Overview
The purpose of application software is to help users perform specific tasks or achieve particular goals that are not directly related to the operation of the computer system itself. It serves as a tool for the user to interact with the computer's capabilities in a meaningful way.
Application software can be installed on a computer, accessed over a network (like a web application), or run on a mobile device (mobile app). Modern applications are often developed using high-level programming languages and leverage the services provided by the operating system and other system software.
Application Software vs. System Software
The distinction between application software and system software is fundamental in computing:
- System software
- - Manages and controls the computer's hardware.
- - Provides a platform or environment for application software to run.
- - Operates in the background or provides low-level services.
- - Examples: Operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS), device drivers, utility programs (like disk formatters).
- Application software
- - Designed for the end-user to perform specific tasks.
- - Directly interacts with the user to provide functionality.
- - Runs "on top of" system software.
- - Examples: Word processors, web browsers, games, email clients.
While the distinction is generally clear, some software (like utility programs) can have characteristics of both.
Types and Examples
Application software exists in numerous forms, designed for almost every imaginable task. Some common categories include:
- Productivity Software: Helps users perform tasks more efficiently, such as creating documents, presentations, or analyzing data. (Examples: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, LibreOffice Calc).
- Entertainment Software: Provides amusement or recreation. (Examples: Video games, media players like VLC, streaming apps like Netflix).
- Educational Software: Designed for teaching or learning purposes. (Examples: Language learning apps, encyclopedias, simulation software).
- Business Software: Caters to the needs of businesses and organizations. (Examples: Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), accounting software, project management tools).
- Development Software: Tools used by software developers. (Examples: Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), compilers, debuggers, code editors).
- Communication Software: Facilitates communication between users. (Examples: Email clients like Thunderbird or Outlook, messaging apps like WhatsApp, web browsers like Chrome or Firefox).
Applications can also be categorized by the platform they run on (e.g., desktop applications, mobile apps, web applications) or by their licensing model (e.g., proprietary, free and open-source).
How Application Software is Created
The process of creating application software involves several stages, typically including requirements analysis, design, implementation (coding), testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. Developers use programming languages and various software development tools to build applications based on their design and requirements.
