Application Software

Jowella Vaka

October 31, 2012

American Samoa Community Collage

Ernie T. Seiuli

ICT 150 Fall (ASTEP)

An application is a program or group of programs designed for end users. Application software can be divided into two general classes: systems software and applications software. Systems software consists of low-level programs that interact with the computer at a very basic level. This includes operating systems, compilers, and utilities for managing computer resources.

In contrast, applications software (also called end-user programs) includes database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets. Figuratively speaking, applications software sits on top of systems

software because it is unable to run without the operating system and system utilities.

Application software is any tool that functions and is operated by means of a computer, with the purpose of supporting or improving the

software user's work. In other words, it is the subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and

thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software (infrastructure) or middleware (computer services/ processes integrators), which is involved in

integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to both the application software

and its implementation.

Example of Different Kind of Application Software

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 databases. Examples are Oracle, MSAccess, etc.

Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the capabilities of a collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning. Dictionaries like Britannica and Encarta, mathematical software like Matlab and others like Google Earth and NASA World Wind are some of the well-known names in this category.