Application Software

Applications software: is general purpose software that allows you to perform a range of related tasks more efficiently than you could by using more conventional technologies.

Integrated package: a suite of applications programs with their associated data and documentation. Typically, it is usually much cheaper to buy an integrated package than individual applications programs, it is easier to copy data from one application in a suite to another (eg import a table of data or a chart from a spreadsheet into a word-processing document) and the user interface is similar for the programs in the suite.

Common Applications

There are many different applications programs:

• Word-processor: allows you to create, edit, store and print a range of different text documents; from letters and faxes to books and essays.
• Spreadsheet: enables you to use formulas to perform a large number of calculations on data stored in cells arranged in rows and columns. You can investigate a mathematical problem, create a budget plan to forecast how much you can save in a year or model the results of a science experiment and draw a chart of your results.
• Database: uses forms to store data in tables made up of records and fields. The data can be searched using queries in order to find out useful information. It can be used to create anything from an address book to a complex application that produces end of year reports.
• Graphics program: can be used to create posters, perform image processing in order to improve or alter photographs or create original artwork.
• DTP software: Desk Top Publishing software allows you to manipulate text and graphics in frames on a page in order to create magazines, brochures and other complex documents.
• Presentation Software: allows you to create a slideshow to illustrate a talk, or a presentation for other people to investigate as a kiosk application.
• Communications software: could include a web browser or email client software as well as other programs that allow you to communicate with

TWO MAIN TYPES OF SOFTWARE ( SYSTEM SOFTWARE)

TYPES OF SOFTWARE

We have two types of software, namely;

• SYSTEM SOFTWARE 
• APPLICATION SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE 

System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computer’s hardware and application programs. If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications.

The operating system (OS) is the best-known example of system software. The OS manages all the other programs in a computer.

Other examples of system software and what each does:

• The BIOS (basic input/output system) gets the computer system started after you turn it on and manages the data flow between the operating system and attached devices such as the hard disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
• The boot program loads the operating system into the computer's main memory or random access memory (RAM).
• An assembler takes basic computer instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits that the computer's processor can use to perform its basic operations.
• A device driver controls a particular type of device that is attached to your computer, such as a keyboard or a mouse. The driver program converts the more general input/output instructions of the operating system to messages that the device type can understand.
• According to some definitions, system software also includes system utilities, such as the disk defragmenter and System Restore, and development tools such as compilers anddebuggers.

System software and application programs are the two main types of computer software. Unlike system software, an application program (often just called an application or app) performs a particular function for the user