Chapter 3

application software

What is application software

Programs that perform specific tasks for users

Four Categories of Application software

  1. Business
  2. Word processing
  3. Spreadsheet
  4. Presentation Graphics
  5. Database
  6. Project management
  7. Personal information manager
  8. Accounting
  9. Graphics and Multimedia
  10. Computer-aided design
  11. Desktop publishing
  12. Paint/image editing
  13. Video and sudio editing
  14. Multimedia authoring
  15. Home/Personal/Education
  16. Word processing/spreadsheet/database
  17. Personal finance
  18. Desktop publishing
  19. Home design and landscaping
  20. Communications
  21. Web browser
  22. Video conferencing
  23. Email
  24. ftp
  25. instant messaging

How Software Is Distributed

  1. packaged software: mass produced, copyrighted retail software for a wide variety of users
  2. Custom software: perform functions specific to a business or industry
  3. Shareware: distributed for free trial period
  4. Freeware: copyrighted software provided at no cost
  5. Public-domain software: freeware with no copyright restrictions

Graphical User Interface

Windows, desktop, icon, button, menu, title bar, pointer, dialog box, shortcut menu

Word Processing Software

Creating, editing, formatting, and printing a word processing document

Font, font size, autocorrect auto-format, thesaurus, grammar checking, tracking changes, mail merge, columns

Spreadsheet software

Worksheets, rows, columns, and cells

Labels, values, and formulas.

Relative and absolute referencing.

What-if analysis.

Graphics – line, pie, bar charts

Analytical graphics

Business graphics

Database Software

A Database is a collection of data stored in files

Database software allows creation, retrieval, manipulation and updates of the data

Presentation Graphics Software

Creates documents called slides that are used in making presentations

Desktop Publishing

Page composition and layout -- Text, graphics, illustrations, and photographs

Communications Software

Used to transmit data from one computer to another

Remote employees

Online services

Web browsers

E-Mail allows users to send messages to and receive messages from other computer users

Personal Information Management Software

Helps users keep track of miscellaneous bits of personal information

Personal Finance

track income and expenses, pay bills, complete online transactions and evaluate financial plans

Project Management Software

Allows users to plan, schedule, track and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project

Accounting Software

Helps companies record and report their financial transactions

Groupware

Software that helps groups of people collaborate on projects and share information

Workgroup technology

Computer-aided Design Software

Assists users in creating a design for a product or a structure

Mutltimedia Authoring Software

Allows users to create presentations that can include text, graphics, video, sound and animation

Integrated Software and Software Suite

Combines applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database, into a single package

Software suites