APPLICATION SOFTWARE
An application program (app or application for short) is a computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of the user. Examples of application include a word processor, a spreadsheet, an accounting application, a web browser, a media player, a console game or photo editor.
Application software, or simple applications, are often called productivity programs or end-user programs because they enable the user to complete tasks such as creating documents, spreadsheets, database, and publications, doing online research, sending email, designing graphics, running businesses and even play games.
Applications are programs written to carry out a specific task or set of tasks for example: word processor, spreadsheets, accounting packages, media.
Examples of application software
- Word Processing Software
This software enables users to create and edit documents. The most popular examples of this type of software are Microsoft Word, WordPad and Notepad among other text editors.
- Database Software
Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on database software to organize data and enable database users to perform database operations. Database software allows users to store and retrieve data from database. Examples are oracle, MS Access, etc.
- Spreadsheet Software
Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple numbers are some examples. Thy simulate paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make a grid.
- Multimedia Software
They allow user to create and play audio and video files. They are capable of playing media files. Audio converters, audio players, burners, video encoders and decoders are some forms of multimedia software.
- 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 includes graphics in the text and a Power Point is the best example of presentation software.
EVALUATION
- Define application software
- Explain three types of application software.