ISM 3004: January 2011

While reading our text book “ Discovering Computers 2010” I came across a intriguing topic “Application Software”. I never completely understood this term "application software". So I began to read and research and fill my head with all I could on the issue, until I thought I had learned enough. I then decided to put to use my new found knowledge, and write about it in my blog. In this tutorial blog 1 I am going to teach you what is application software and its use.

What is Application Software?

To my understanding application software is a computer designed programs to serve the needs of the targeted user. Wikipedia defines Application software as “Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform singular or multiple related specific tasks.” What this means is every computer can download programs to help the user to complete their electronic task. Task such as writing papers, email a friend, play video games, and designing web pages.
SoftwareHistory.com suggested the first software program was created in the 1960's. Just ten years after the creation of computers. Today application software consists of two main styles of software, horizontal and vertical applications. Horizontal applications are general and very common applications and are used to help the different users and organizations in their everyday computer related endeavours. Horizontal applications are typically more basic and a lot less expensive than vertical applications. Vertical application on the other hand is for specially designed and formatted applications to help the specific groups and individuals. Vertical applications can be very expensive, ranging anywhere into the tens of thousands. Organizations such as banks, schools, law offices use vertical software. This brings me to my next point…

How can Application Software be used?

There are many different varieties of computer applications. The textbook gives four important groups for application software uses:

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· To make business activities more efficient

· To assist with graphics and multimedia projects

· To support home, personal, and educational task

· To facilitate communications

Business activities: There is a large demand for computer applications in the business world. . Business owner's can use these applications for document management or spreadsheets for accounting the business finances. Also there is applications for presentation software to create visual aid to communicate ideas and messages. Some examples of this application software are word processor, business software suite, or project management software.

Graphics and Multimedia: Graphics and design is large growing profession. Digital animation has become very popular in the entertainment worlds. Applications such as or photo editing software assist designers with the animation process. Professionals such as engineers and architects use desktop publishing software or computer aided design (CAD) to design new building ideas, building structure, or vehicle design. These applications play an important role in the structuring process.

Home/Personal/ Education: The most common used computer applications are for personal and educational use. There is a infinite number of applications that are designed to entertain, educate, and assist the user. Here is a list of personal applications software: Personal finance software, Home education software, travel and mapping software, tax preparation software, Entertainment software(computer and game consoles). This is considered the most widely used application software on the market.

Communications: Email has become the fastest way of communication. Applications such as instant messaging, chat rooms, or even this blog were all developed by computer applications. There is many different types of communication software and all were created to assist the computer user in communicating between people over long and short distances. Here are some other examples: Internet(Facebook, Myspace, twitter), RSS aggregator(keeps track of changes to website), Video chatting.

~Here is a small section dedicated only to hand held computer devices~

SMART PHONES: Smart phones have become the newest technology in cellular devices. Cell phones are considered miniature computers with phone applications to make them into communication devices. This advance technology has become the new era of application development. Apple and android have flooded the mobile application market with hundred of applications and widgets. The market is unlimited to its future.