Application Software
• Performs a specific job or task.
• Helps people use their computers to
perform their work more effectively.
• Categorized in two ways
– The way it is acquired
– The way it is used
The Way Application Software is
Used
• Horizontal Application Software
– Designed to be used for a wide variety of purposes
– Examples: Word processing software, spreadsheet
software, graphics programs
• Vertical Application Software
– Highly specialized and is used for very specific
purposes
– Examples: Entertainment and educational software
programs such as games and typing programs
Most Common Types of Application
Software
• Word processors for writing letters and reports
• Spreadsheets for working with numbers and
doing math
• Databases for storing and finding information
• Presentation graphics for creating slide shows
• Telecommunications for using the Internet and
e-mail
• Personal information manager (PIM) programs
for storing phone numbers and addresses and
creating schedules
Three Basic Categories of
Application Software
•
•
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Stand-alone programs
Integrated software
Office Suites
These programs differ in their features and
in cost
• You should choose the type of software
that best fits your needs, computers, and
budgets.
Stand-Alone Programs
• Software that specializes in one task
• They may cost more than other forms of
application software.
• These programs usually have many very
specialized features.
Popular Stand-Alone Programs
Application
Program
Database
Corel Paradox®, FileMaker® Pro,
Lotus® Approach®, Microsoft
Access®
Graphics
Corel Presentation®, Lotus
Freelance Graphics®, Microsoft
PowerPoint®
Spreadsheet
Corel Quattro® Pro, Lotus 1-2-3®,
Microsoft Excel®
Word Processor
Corel WordPerfect®, Lotus
WordPro®, Microsoft Word®
Integrated Software
• Combine the basic features of several
applications into one package.
• Not as powerful or as complete as standalones.
• Do not specialize in one application.
• Usually is less costly and fairly easy to use
• Popular integrated programs
– AppleWorks
– Microsoft Works
Office Suites
• A package of stand-alone programs that can be
used independently of one another.
• Allows the user to move data effectively among
the programs.
• More popular with users than integrated
programs because they offer more features and
advanced functionality.
• Generally cost more than integrated software,
but are cheaper than buying the stand-alone
programs separately.
Most Popular Office Suites
• Microsoft Office (with Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Outlook and Access)
• Corel WordPerfect Office (with
WordPerfect, Quattro Pro, Paradox, Corel
Presentations, and Corel Central)
• Lotus SmartSuite (with WordPro, Lotus 12-3, Approach, Freelance Graphics, and
Organizer)
Which Software is Right for You?
• Type of application software you choose
depends on the following:
– What you want it to do
– How much you are willing to spend
– How easy the programs are to learn
– Whether the software will work on your
computer
– How much space each program will take up
on your hard drive
Minimum System Requirements
• Each computer must meet the minimum hardware and
software needs of the program for it to work properly.
• It is important to choose software that will work with the
following:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Your type of computer (Mac or PC Compatible)
Microprocessor speed
Operating system ( such as Linux, Mac OS X, or Windows Vista)
Available amount of memory (RAM)
Available hard drive space
Special equipment, such as a modem or CD-ROM drive
How Software is Acquired
• Some application software may be loaded
on a new computer.
• Some additional ways software may be
obtained are:
– Commercial Software—copyrighted software
that you must buy before using it.
– Custom Software—must be developed by
professional programmers, but it is tailored to
the user’s exact specifications.
Shareware
• Copyrighted software that you can use on a trybefore-you-buy basis.
• Most is downloaded over the Internet and you
use the program at no charge for a specified
time period.
• If you decide to keep using if after that, you must
pay a registration fee to the company.
• You are also allowed to copy shareware and
give it to your friends. They must follow the
same process to acquire the software.
Freeware
• Application software that is distributed
without cost.
• Freeware programs have been
copyrighted by their developers and made
available to the public without charge.
• The developers allow users to install the
program as long as they do not resell it to
other people.
Public Domain Software
• Program authors allow you to use
programs, share them, give them away, or
even alter them to meet certain needs.
• The quality of these programs can vary
widely.
• They may contain more errors than other
types of software.
Installing and Uninstalling
Programs
• Application software must be installed, or prepared to
run on a computer, before it can be used.
• You must copy it from a location (disk, CD, Internet) to
the computer’s hard drive.
• Most programs come with an installation, or setup,
program that prompts you to load the software onto the
computer.
• Many programs also have a special code that must be
entered to proceed with installation.
• To delete a program from the computer, you must run a
special removal program to properly uninstall it.
Using Software Legally
• Buying copyrighted software usually permits the
buyer to install and use that software on only
one computer.
– This permission is contained in a document known as
the software license.
– Users agree to the terms of the license during the
installation process.
• For schools and businesses that plan to install
the software on several computers, they must
purchase a site license for a specific number of
computers to use the software.
Software Piracy
• People who copy copyrighted software to install
on other computers, give away, or sell are guilty
of copyright violation and stealing, called
software piracy.
• Violating a copyright and pirating software are
both morally wrong and illegal.
• These activities discourage the authors of good
software from writing new and better programs
because they may not get paid for their work.
• Pirated software cannot be registered, so users
do not get the support services they may need.