Application software 454746 224874616 2008-07-10T20:10:49Z 89.24.5.18 /* Information worker software */ {{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}} [[Image:OpenOffice.org-2.0-Writer-KDE-Portuguese.png|thumb|right|275px|OpenOffice.org Writer [[word processor]]. [[OpenOffice.org]] is a popular example of an open source application software suite]] '''Application software''' is a subclass of [[computer software]] that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with [[system software]] which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to both the ''application software'' and its implementation. A simple, if imperfect [[analogy]] in the world of hardware would be the relationship of an electric light bulb (an application) to an electric power generation plant (a system). The power plant merely generates electricity, not itself of any real use until harnessed to an application like the electric light that performs a service that benefits the user. <!-- for redirect from [[Software application]]--> Typical examples of '''software applications''' are [[word processor]]s, [[spreadsheet]]s, and [[media player (application software)|media player]]s. Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an '''application suite'''. [[Microsoft Office]] and [[OpenOffice.org]], which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and several other discrete applications, are typical examples. The separate applications in a suite usually have a [[user interface]] that has some commonality making it easier for the user to learn and use each application. And often they may have some capability to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user. For example, a spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application. [[User-written software]] tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs. User-written software include spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is. In some types of [[embedded system]]s, the application software and the operating system software may be indistinguishable to the user, as in the case of software used to control a [[VCR]], [[DVD]] player or [[Microwave Oven]]. ==Terminology== The exact delineation between system software such as [[operating system]]s and application software is not precise, however, and is occasionally subject to controversy. For example, one of the key questions in the [[United States v. Microsoft]] [[antitrust]] trial was whether Microsoft's [[Internet Explorer]] [[web browser]] was part of its [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] operating system or a separable piece of application software. As another example, the [[GNU/Linux naming controversy]] is, in part, due to disagreement about the relationship between the [[Linux kernel]] and the [[Linux]] operating system. In [[computer science]], an application is a computer program designed to help people perform a certain type of work. An application thus differs from an operating system (which runs a computer), a utility (which performs maintenance or general-purpose chores), and a [[programming language]] (with which computer programs are created). Depending on the work for which it was designed, an application can manipulate text, numbers, graphics, or a combination of these elements. Some application packages offer considerable computing power by focusing on a single task, such as word processing; others, called [[integrated software]], offer somewhat less power but include several applications, such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a database program. == Application software classification == There are many subtypes of application software: * ''[[Enterprise software]]'' addresses the needs of organization processes and data flow, often in a large distributed environment. (Examples include Financial, Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain Management). Note that Departmental Software is a sub-type of Enterprise Software with a focus on smaller organizations or groups within a large organization. (Examples include Travel Expense Management, and IT Helpdesk) * ''Enterprise infrastructure software'' provides common capabilities needed to support Enterprise Software systems. (Examples include Databases, Email servers, and Network and Security Management) * ''Information worker software'' addresses the needs of individuals to '''create''' and manage information, often for individual projects within a department, in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource management, documentation tools, analytical, and collaborative. Word processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal information system, and individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks. * ''Content access software'' is software used primarily to access content without editing, but may include software that allows for content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to '''consume''' digital entertainment and '''published''' digital content. (Examples include Media Players, Web Browsers, Help browsers, and Games) * ''[[Educational software]]'' is related to Media and Entertainment Software, but has distinct requirements for delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress through material. It is also related to collaboration software in that many Educational Software systems include collaborative capabilities. * ''Simulation software'' are computer software for simulation of physical or abstract systems for either research, training or entertainment purposes. * ''Media development software'' addresses the needs of individuals who generate [[Print media|print]] and [[electronic media]] for others to consume, most often in a commercial or educational setting. This includes Graphic Art software, Desktop Publishing software, Multimedia Development software, HTML editors, Digital Animation editors, Digital Audio and Video composition, and many others. * ''Product engineering software'' is used in developing hardware and software products. This includes computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), computer language editing and compiling tools, Integrated Development Environments, and Application Programmer Interfaces. == Examples == {{Prose|date=April 2008}} {| width="100%" |- valign=top |width="30%"| ==== Enterprise software ==== * [[Dashboards (management information systems)|Executive dashboard]] ==== Enterprise infrastructure software ==== * Business [[workflow]] software * [[Database management system]] (DBMS) software * [[Digital asset management]] (DAM) software * [[Document Management]] software * [[Geographic Information System]] (GIS) software ==== Information worker software ==== * Time and Resource Management ** [[Accounting software]] ** [[Project management software|Task and Scheduling]] ** [[Field service management]] software * Data Management ** [[Contact manager|Contact Management]] ** [[Spreadsheet]] ** [[Database|Personal Database]] * Documentation ** [[word processor|Word Processing]] ** [[Desktop publishing|Desktop publishing software]] ** [[Diagramming Software]] ** [[Presentation software]] * [[Analytical software]] ** [[Computer algebra system]]s ** [[Numerical analysis#Software|Numerical computing]] *** [[:Category:Numerical software|List of numerical software]] ** [[:Category:Physics software|Physics software]] ** [[:Category:Science software|Science software]] ** [[:Category:Statistical software|List of statistical software]] ** [[Neural network software]] * [[Collaborative software]] ** [[E-mail]] ** [[Blog]] ** [[WikiWiki|Wiki]] or [[Application_wiki|Application Wiki]] * [[Reservation systems]] * [[:Category:Financial software|Financial Software]] ** [[Day trading software]] |width="5%"| |width="30%"| ==== Content access software ==== * [[Electronic media]] software ** [[Web browser]] ** [[Media players]] ** [[Presentation program|Hybrid editor players]] ** Entertainment software *** [[Digital pet]]s *** [[Screen saver]]s *** [[video game|Computer and Video Games]] **** [[arcade game|Arcade]] **** [[Emulator|Emulators]] for console games **** [[Handheld game console|Handheld Game Consoles]] Games **** [[Video Game Console]] Games **** [[Wireless]] or [[Mobile Phone]] Games ==== Educational software ==== * Classroom Management * [[Edutainment|Edutainment Software]] * [[Learning management system|Learning/Training Management Software]] * [[Reference software]] * Sales Readiness Software * Survey Management ====Simulation software==== * [[Computer simulator]]s ** [[Computational science|Scientific simulator]]s ** [[Social simulator]]s ** [[Military simulation|Battlefield simulator]]s ** Emergency simulators ** Vehicle simulators ***[[Flight simulator]]s ***[[Driving simulator]]s ** [[Simulation game]]s ***[[Vehicle simulation game]]s |width="5%"| |width="30%"| ==== Media development software ==== * [[Image organizer]] * Media content creating/editing ** [[3D computer graphics software]] ** [[Animation software]] ** [[Graphic art software]] ** [[Image editing|Image editing software]] *** [[Raster graphics editor]] *** [[Vector graphics editor]] ** [[Video editing software]] ** [[Digital audio workstation|Sound editing software]] ***[[Digital audio editor]] ** [[Music sequencer]] *** [[Scorewriter]] ** [[hypermedia|Hypermedia editing software]] *** [[HTML editor|Web Development Software]] ==== Product engineering software ==== * [[Engineering|Hardware Engineering]] ** [[Computer-aided engineering]] ** [[CAD|Computer-aided design (CAD)]] ** [[NEi Nastran]] Finite Element Analysis * [[Software Engineering]] ** [[Computer Language]] Editor ** [[Compiler|Compiler Software]] ** [[Integrated Development Environments]] ** [[:Category:Game creation software|Game creation software]] ==== Industrial Automation software ==== * [[Programmable logic controller]] software |} == See also == * [[Software system]]s == External links == * [http://www.pera.net alternate way to classify software with emphasis on automation] [[Category:Application software| ]] [[Category:Handheld game consoles| ]] [[af:Toepassingsagteware]] [[ar:برمجيات تطبيقية]] [[az:Tətbiqi proqramlar]] [[bn:কম্পিউটার অ্যাপ্লিকেশন]] [[bs:Izvršni softver]] [[cs:Aplikační software]] [[da:Applikation (datalogi)]] [[de:Anwendungsprogramm]] [[es:Aplicación informática]] [[fa:نرم‌افزار کاربردی]] [[ga:Feidhmchlár]] [[ko:응용 소프트웨어]] [[id:Aplikasi]] [[it:Applicazione]] [[lv:Lietojumprogrammatūra]] [[lt:Taikomoji programinė įranga]] [[hu:Alkalmazás (számítástechnika)]] [[ml:ആപ്ലിക്കേഷന്‍ സോഫ്റ്റ്‌വെയര്‍‍]] [[nl:Applicatie]] [[ja:アプリケーションソフトウェア]] [[no:Applikasjonsprogramvare]] [[pl:Aplikacja (informatyka)]] [[pt:Software aplicativo]] [[ru:Прикладное программное обеспечение]] [[simple:Application]] [[sk:Aplikácia (informatika)]] [[su:Aplikasi]] [[sv:Tillämpningsprogram]] [[th:โปรแกรมประยุกต์]] [[vi:Phần mềm ứng dụng]] [[tr:Bilgisayar uygulaması]] [[uk:Застосунок]] [[zh:应用软件]]