Chapter 3
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Application Software
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Matthew Kilrain
Application Software
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Consists of programs that perform
specific tasks for users.
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As a business tool
To assist with graphics and multimedia
projects
To support home, personal, and
educational activities
To facilitate communications
Types of Application Software
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Packaged software
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Meets the needs of a wide variety of users.
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Custom software
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Ex: Word Processing, spreadsheet software
Performs functions specific to a business or
industry.
Shareware
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Copyrighted software that is distributed free for a
trial period
Types of Application Software
continued
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Freeware
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Copyrighted software provided at no cost
to a user by an individual or a company.
Public-Domain software
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Free software that has been donated for
public use and has no copyright
restrictions.
System Software
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System software serves as an interface
between the user, the application
software, and the computer’s hardware.
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To run application software you computer
must be running system software.
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Ex:Microsoft’s Windows XP, Apple’s Mac OS X
Business Software
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This is application software that
assists people in becoming more
effective and efficient while
performing their daily business
activities.
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Ex:
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Word processing, spreadsheet, database,
presentation graphics, personal
information manager, PDA software,
software suite, project management,
and accounting.
Word Processing Software
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Allows users to create and manipulate
documents containing text and graphics
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Used to create:
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Letters, memos, reports, fax cover sheets,
mailing labels, newsletters, and Web pages.
Features:
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Changing the shape, size and colors of
characters.
Spreadsheet Software
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This is a widely used type of application
software that allows users to organize
data in rows and columns, called
worksheets, and perform calculations
on the data.
Database Software
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Database software is an application
software that allows users to create,
access, and manage a database.
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A database is a collection of data organized
in a manner that allows access, retrieval,
and use of that data.
Presentation Graphics Software
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This is application software that allows
users to create visual aids for
presentations to communicate ideas,
messages, and other information to a
group.
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These presentations can be viewed as
slides, sometimes called slide shows.
Personal Information Managers
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Personal Information Software (PIM) is
application software that includes an
appointment calendar, address book,
notepad, and other features to help
organize personal information.
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Many PDA’s today include PIM software
Graphics and Multimedia
Software
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This software may be used by power
users such as engineers, architects,
desktop publishers, and graphic artists.
It includes computer aided design,
desktop publishing, paint/image editing,
video and audio editing, animation,
multimedia authoring, and Web page
authoring.
Computer Aided Design
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Computer Aided Design (CAD) is a
sophisticated type of application
software that assists a professional user
in creating engineering, architectural,
and scientific designs.
Desktop Publishing Software
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Desktop Publishing (DPT) is software that
enables professional designers to create
sophisticated documents that contain text,
graphics, and many colors.
It is useful in the production of high quality
color documents such as textbooks, corporate
newsletters, marketing literature, product
catalogs, and annual reports.
Paint/Imaging Editing Software
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This software, also called illustration
software, allows users to draw pictures,
shapes, and other graphical images with
various on-screen tools such as pen, brush,
eyedropper, and paint bucket.
It is used by graphic artists, multimedia
professionals, technical illustrators and
desktop publishers.
Video and Audio Editing Software
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Video Editing Software allows users to
modify a segment of a video, called a
clip.
Audio Editing Software lets users modify
audio clips and produce studio-quality
soundtracks.
Multimedia Authoring Software
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This software allows users to combine
text, graphics, audio, video, and
animation into an interactive
application.
Web page Authoring Software
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This software helps users of all skill
levels create Web pages that include
graphical images, video, audio,
animation, and other special effects.
Software for Home, Personal, and
Educational Use
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Types of this software include
integrated software, personal finance
software, legal software, tax
preparation software, desktop
publishing software, paint/imaging
editing software, educational and
reference software, and entertainment
software.
Integrated Software
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This combines application software into
a single easy to use package.
Personal Finance Software
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This is a simplified accounting program
that helps home users and small
office/home office users balance their
checkbooks, pay bills, track personal
income and expenses, track
investments, and evaluate financial
plans.
Legal Software
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This software assists in preparation of legal
documents and provides legal information to
individuals, families, and small businesses.
It provides standard contracts and documents
associated with buying, selling, and renting
property; estate planning; marriage and
divorce; and preparing a will or living trust.
Desktop Publishing Software
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This is a simpler, easy to understand
software for home and small business
users.
It helps users to create newsletters,
brochures, advertisements, postcards,
greeting cards, letterhead, business
cards, banners, calendars, logos, and
Web pages.
Paint/Image Editing Software
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This software provides an easy to use
interface, usually with more simplified
capabilities than its professional
counterpart with functions tailored for
the home or small business user.
Educational and Reference
Software
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Educational software is software that teaches
a particular skill and it exists for almost any
subject .
Many educational programs use a computer
based training approach.
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Computer Based Training (CBT) is a type of
education in which students learn by using and
completing exercises with instructional software.
Reference software provides valuable and
thorough information for all individuals.
Entertainment Software
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This is used in personal computers and
includes interactive games, videos, and
other programs designed to support a
hobby or provide amusement and
enjoyment.
Application Software for
Communications
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This type of software is considered
system software because it works with
hardware and transmission media.
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Types of Application Software for
Communications include E-Mail, FTP, Web
Browser, Newsgroup/Message Board, Chat
Room, Instant Messaging, Video
Conferencing/Telephone Calls.
Application Software on the Web
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Web application is application software
that exists on a Website and stores
personal data and information at their
sites.
Application Service Providers
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This a third party organization that
manages and distributes software and
services on the Web. There are five
ASP categories:
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Enterprise ASP - Customizes and delivers
high end business applications.
Local/Regional ASP – Offers a variety of
software applications to a specific
geographical region.
Application Service Providers
cont.
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Specialist ASP – Delivers applications to
meet a specific business need.
Vertical Market ASP – Provides applications
for a particular industry.
Volume Business ASP – Supplies
prepackaged applications.
Learning Aids and Support Tools
For Application Software
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Online Help is the electronic equivalent
to a user manual. It provides assistance
that helps users increase productivity.
A wizard is an automated assistant that
helps a user complete a task by asking
questions and then automatically
performing actions based on the
responses.