Types of Application Software?

16/12/2009 12:28

Different Types of Application Software

What is application software? What are the different types of application software? Know it all along with some interesting examples of application software. Read on…
Different Types of Application Software

Computer Software
Computer software is defined as a set of programs and procedures that are intended to perform some tasks on a computer system. A software program is a set of instructions that are aimed at changing the state of computer hardware. At the lowest level software is in a form of an assembly language, a set of instructions in a machine-understandable form. At the highest level, software is in a form of high-level languages, which are compiled or interpreted into machine language code.

Major Types of Software
Computer software systems are classified into three main types, namely, system software, programming software and application software. System software is comprised of device drivers, operating system, server and other such software components, which help the programmer abstract away from the memory and hardware features of the system. Programming software assists the programmer in writing programs by providing him/her with tools such as editors, compilers, linkers, debuggers and more. Application software, one of the most important types of software, is used to achieve certain specific tasks.

What is Application Software?
Application software utilizes the capacities of a computer directly to a dedicated task. Application software is able to manipulate text, numbers and graphics. It can be in the form of software focused on a certain single task like word processing, spreadsheet or playing of audio and video files.

Different Types of Application Software

Word Processing Software: This software enables the users to create and edit documents. The most popular examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad, Notepad and some other text editors.

Database Software: Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on database software to organize the data and enable the database users to achieve database operations. Database software allows the users to store and retrieve data from databases. Examples are Oracle, MSAccess, etc.

Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of spreadsheet software. Spreadsheet software allows users to perform calculations. They simulate paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a grid.

Multimedia Software: They allow the users to create and play audio and video media. They are capable of playing media files. Audio converters, players, burners, video encoders and decoders are some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type of software include Real Player and Media Player.

Presentation Software: The software that is used to display information in the form of a slide show is known as presentation software. This type of software includes three functions, namely, editing that allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in the text and a functionality of executing the slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of presentation software.

Examples of Application Software

Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs of organization processes and data flow. The customer relationship management or the financial processes in an organization are carried out by means of enterprise software.

Information Worker Software: Individual projects within a department and individual needs of creation and management of information are handled by information worker software. Documentation tools, resource management tools and personal management systems fall under the category of this form of application software.

Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the capabilities of collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning.

Simulation Software: Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds applications in both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific simulators find a place in the list of simulation software.

Content Access Software: It is used to access content without editing. The common examples of content access software are web browsers and media players.

Thus we see that application software have made it possible for us users to interact with the computer systems. Application software has served as a boon in harnessing the computing power in the accomplishment of certain important individual and organizational tasks.

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