What is Application Software? – GeeksforGeeks

A computer is a piece of electronic equipment. Because it is powered by electricity, it is referred to as an electronic device. It accepts data, processes it, and outputs the appropriate results. The output of a computer system is also known as the result of the computer system. The computer system is commonly used nowadays. It is employed in a variety of fields due to its quick processing, data storage, data or information accessibility, data transmission, communication methods, and instant connectivity.

The basic structure of the computer system includes major devices like Input Devices (mouse, keyboard, joystick, microphone, camera, etc.) CPU (Central Processing Unit) Output Device (Monitors and printers, etc.)  help to run the computer system smoothly. 

A programmed set of instructions used to perform a given task is referred to as software. Users are unable to see the software. Users are only able to realize and validate their functions. The hardware runs all of the software. The two main categories of software are system software and application software. The most widely used computer software is the operating system (Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, etc.) and Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

What is Application software?

The term “application software” refers to software that performs specific functions for a user. When a user interacts directly with a piece of software, it is called application software. The sole purpose of application software is to assist the user in doing specified tasks. Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as popular web browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome, are examples of application software. It also encompasses the category of mobile apps, which includes apps like WhatsApp for communication and games like Candy Crush Saga. There are also app versions of popular services, such as weather or transportation information, as well as apps that allow users to connect with businesses. Global Positioning System (GPS), Graphics, multimedia, presentation software, desktop publishing software, and so on are examples of such software.

Function of application software:

Application software programs are created to help with a wide range of tasks. Here are a few examples:

• Information and data management
• Management of documents (document exchange systems)
• Development of visuals and video
• Emails, text messaging, audio and video conferencing, and cooperation are all options.
• Management of accounting, finance, and payroll
• Management of resources (ERP and CRM systems)
• Management of a project
• Management of business processes
• Software for education (LMS and e-learning systems)
• Software for healthcare applications

Need of application software:

End-users can use “application software” to conduct single or many tasks. Following are few reasons to need application software in computers:

• Helps the user in completing specified tasks: Application software is designed with the user in mind. They help the end-user with specialized tasks in a variety of industries, including education, business, and entertainment. Microsoft Word, for example, is popular application software that allows users to create, edit, delete, and do other tasks with word documents.
• Manages and manipulates data: Business companies utilize application software to manage and manipulate employees, customers, and other databases. Enterprise resource management systems and customer relationship management systems are two common examples of application software.
• Allows users to effectively organize information: Individual users can use application software to efficiently create and handle large amounts of data. Microsoft Excel, for example, is popular application software that allows users to manage datasheets.

Types of application software: 

Application software can also be categorized based on its chargeability and accessibility. Here is some application software:

•  Freeware: It is offered for free, as the name implies. You can utilize freeware application software that you can obtain from the Internet. This software, on the other hand, does not allow you to change it or charge a fee for sharing it. Examples include Adobe PDF, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.
• Shareware: This is given away to users for free as a trial, usually with a limited-time offer. If consumers want to keep using this application software, they will have to pay. WinZip, Anti-virus, and Adobe Reader are instances of shareware.
• Open-source: This type of application software comes with the source code, allowing you to edit and even add features to it. These could be offered for free or for a fee. Open-source application software includes Moodle and Apache Web Server.
• Closed source: This category includes the majority of the application software programs used nowadays. These are normally charged, and the source code is usually protected by intellectual property rights or patents. It usually comes with a set of restrictions. Microsoft Windows, Adobe Flash Player, WinRAR, macOS, and other operating systems are examples.

Examples of application software:

Some of the examples of application software are:

• System for Hotel Management: It relates to the hotel industry’s management strategies. Hotel administration, accounting, billing, marketing, housekeeping, and front office or front desk.
• System for Payroll Management: It is a term used by all modern businesses to refer to every employee who receives a regular salary or another form of payment. The payroll software calculates all different payment options and generates the relevant paychecks. Employee salary slips can also be printed or sent using this software.
• System for Human Resources Management: It describes the systems and activities that exist at the nexus of Human Resource Management (HRM) and Information Technology (IT). The HR department’s role is primarily administrative and is found in all businesses.
• Attendance Recording System: It’s a piece of software that tracks and optimizes a person’s or student’s presence in an organization or school. Nowadays, customers’ existing time/attendance recording devices, such as biometrics/access cards, can be connected with attendance systems. Attendance management can be accomplished in two ways: Integration of biometrics & Integration of manual attendance
• System of Billing: It is the billing software that is utilized to complete the billing process. It keeps track of marked products and services given to a single consumer or a group of customers.

Advantages of Application Software:

• It meets the client’s particular requirements. The client recognizes that they must use one explicit programming to complete the task because it is planned explicitly for one reason.
• Businesses that are associated with particular applications can restrict access and consider ways to monitor their operations.
• With the logic of health, standard updates from engineers for Licensed application programming can be obtained.

Disadvantages of Application Software:

• Developing application software to achieve certain goals can be quite expensive for developers. This can have an impact on their financial plan and income stream, especially if an excessive amount of time is spent on a product that is not generally worthy.
• Application software that is frequently used by many of us and then published on the internet poses a genuine risk of infection by a bug or other malicious projects.

Difference between System Software and Application Software

The Windows Operating System is a good example of system software. MS Office, Photoshop, and CorelDraw are some well-known examples of application software.

System SoftwareApplication SoftwareThe main purpose of such type of software is to manage the resources of the system. It acts as a platform for the execution of application softwareApplication software is created to execute a certain set of tasks.System software is written in a low-level programming language like machine code or assembly language.Application software is written in a high-level language like Java, C++,.Net, or PHP.When the computer is turned on, system software begins to run and stops when the computer is turned off.When a user asks, application software runs according to the task.Without system software, a computer system cannot even start.User-specific application software is not required to run the system as a whole.The system software has a wide range of capabilities.The objective of application software is to accomplish a certain task.System software includes language processors (interpreters, compilers, and assemblers), operating systems, and so on. Payroll software, accounting software, MS Office, and so on are examples of an application.

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