Application Software – Important Things You Need To Know

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In this post, we are going to clear your all Application Software related doubts and also discuss this topic – ‘Application Software -The Most Important Things You Need to Know’. So, stay tuned with us, and Let’s Go.

Software is a set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks. It is the opposite of hardware, which describes the physical aspects of a computer. The software reduces the workload and automation of activities. It also assists in the elimination of human errors, as a result, improves effectiveness and consistency.

There are various types of business software commonly used by companies. Early software was written for specific computers and sold with the hardware it ran on. In the 1980s, the software began to be sold on floppy disks, and later on CDs and DVDs. Today, most software is purchased and directly downloaded over the internet.

Software is responsible for accomplishing different tasks. Depending upon the nature of the work computer software can be divided into two main categories. These are System Software and Application Software.

Today in this post, we are going to discuss about the Application Software, Different Types of Application Software, Advantages, and the Limitation of Application Software, And So On.

What Is Application Software?

Application software is a user-developed program that is made to carry out some specific jobs like processing a payroll file, processing language, solving equations for scientific application, or doing graphic designing.

• In information technology, application program or application software is a computer program designed to help people perform an activity. Depending on the activity for which it was designed, an application can manipulate text, numbers, audio, graphics, and a combination of these elements.

• Applications software is capable of dealing with user inputs and helps the user to complete the task. It is also called end-user programs or only an app.

• Application Software helps in providing a graphical user interface to the user to operate the computer for different functionality.

• Each application is designed to assist end-users in accomplishing a variety of tasks, which may be related to productivity, creativity, or communication.

The user may use the computer for browsing the internet, accessing to email service, attending meetings, and playing games. The user interacts with these application programs, which in turn interact with the operating system to carry out the desired work.

The most common software application platforms are used by millions of people every day.  Different High-Level Programming Languages are used to build application software. They are designed to help with specific tasks, simplify workflows, and improve communication across teams.

Different Types of Application Software

Different types of application software are used for resource coordination, information management, visual construction, data manipulation, and calculations, and so on. Understanding the different types of application software will help you save time, cost, and resources, enhance the productivity, and improve the decision-making ability.

Picking up the right application software for personal or business use can improve function and efficiency. The Application Software Is Broadly Divided Into Two Main Parts: 1. General Purpose Application Software 2. Custom Made Application Software.

1. General Purpose Software

A General-Purpose Software Application is a type of software that has been designed to solve users’ common or general tasks using a computer system. This type of software is used to perform a broad variety of tasks and is useful to nearly all computer users, such as word processing, graphics editing, and spreadsheet applications.

This type of software is used to do word processing, spreadsheet processing, presentations, database handling, desktop publishing, computer-aided designs, electronic mailing, etc. These are usually available as bundled packages like MS Office, Adobe Smart Suite, Corel Suite, AutoCAD, etc. The major advantages of such software are that they are pre-tested, feature-rich, professionally developed programs that are usually easy to use from a user point of view.

EXAMPLES: Word Processors, Photo Editing Applications For Example, Spreadsheets, Desktop Publishing Packages, MS Word, MS Office, Graphics Packages, etc.

2. Custom Made Software

Custom Made Application Software is also called tailor-made software, custom program, and specialized software. This type of software is made for an individual or business that performs tasks specific to their needs. This type of software is developed to serve the requirement of the particular user is defined as custom-made software. Most software companies work on the basis of the requirement of the user to build custom software.

Custom-made software is written for specific purposes like Stock Management, School Management, Hospital Management, Payroll Calculation, etc. Programs to control the working of specific automated production facilities in a factory also fall in this category. Therefore tailor or custom-made application programs are used to cater to the needs of a particular company, manufacturing unit, or organization, etc.

EXAMPLES: Streaming Services, Voice Recognition, Delivery Services, Banking Services, Remote Dashboards, Taxi and Private Hire Providers, etc.

Advantages of Application Software

When you start comparing, you will see that the advantages easily outweigh the disadvantages. With that in mind, here are some of their most popular and widely accepted benefits.

• Application Software packages are written by software architect and the content are of great quality.

• Their single biggest advantage is that they meet the exact needs of the user. Since they are designed specifically with one purpose in mind, the user knows that he has to use specific software to accomplish his task.

• They have large availability and generally cheaper when compared to the other packages. Licensed application software gets regular updates from the developer for security reasons.

• The threat of viruses invading custom-made applications is very small, since any business that incorporates it can restrict access and can come up with means to protect their network as well.

• The updated versions of software are available regularly.  Additionally, the developer also regularly sends personnel to correct any problems that may arise from time to time.

• It saves time and money of the organization since it doesn’t require the staff members to develop, write, and test the programs.

Disadvantages of Application Software

The disadvantages of application software are as follows:

• Some software that is designed specifically for a certain business may not be compatible with other general software because each software serves a different purpose.

• Developing application software designed to meet specific purposes can prove to be quite costly for developers. This can affect their budget and their revenue flow, especially if too much time is spent developing software that is not generally acceptable.

• The development of software is time-consuming because it needs constant communication between the developer and the customer. This delays the entire development process, which can lead to more spending on utilities.

• The software must be developed according to the requirements of the customer – which requires a lot of time, and due to this there might be a delay in production process.

• The software is designed based on user requirements, so it may not be compatible with other general application software.

Though there are few disadvantages of application software, the advantages of application software outweigh their disadvantages.

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