We explain what application software is, what it is for and examples. Also, what are the system and programming software.
What is application software?
In computing, it is understood by application software, application programs or in some cases applications, when set of computer programs generally installed on the system by the user, and designed to carry out a specific and specific objective, playful, instrumental, communicative, informative, etc.
In other words: all those programs that they do not have to do with the operation of the computer, but we install it to give it certain functions as a work tool (spreadsheet, word processor, graphic design programs, etc.), leisure (video games, audio or video players, etc.) or information ( digital encyclopedias, Internet browser, etc.), among others.
The application software is normally designed and marketed separately from the system software that is factory-incorporated into the computer, and its selection and installation in the system is at the total free will of the user. It is not, however, impossible that many programs of this type come pre-installed – due to business agreements and specific promotions – on the hard drive of a newly purchased computer.
Application software examples
Some popular examples of Application Software are:
- Google Chrome. This is the name of this Internet browser designed and published by Google Inc., and distributed completely free of charge on the web. He revolutionized the industry by being one of the lightest and fastest explorers of the moment.
- OpenOffice. An office software package, freely distributed over the Internet, to compete with popular paid versions, such as Microsoft Office. OpenOffice operates with open source and has both a word processor (Writer), a spreadsheet (Calc), a presentation and slide software (Impress), a database (Base) and a mathematical formula editor (Math) , such as a graphics and visual effects editor (Draw).
- Call of Duty. Title of a range of war videogames, characterized by their first-person narrative and programmed by the Infinity Ward company (although distributed by Activision). It was one of the most popular video games of its kind and has often been criticized for its violence and political content.
- Skype A software designed to establish telephone communications or videoconferences using Internet data transmission. It allows the user to establish their contact list, manage various accounts and emit and receive both audio and video signals in real time. It is currently owned by the Microsoft company.
- MediaMonkey. It is a multimedia player program: for audio and video files, developed by Ventis Media Inc. It allows you to organize, tag and play files, and operates on various operating systems.
- Adobe Illustrator. Designed for the edition of graphics and in virtual representation of an art workshop, this program operates on the basis of a drawing board called “work table”, in which the work of artistic and creative design is carried out, helped by various digital tools. It is owned by Adobe Systems and is contained in the Adobe Creative Cloud package.
System software
System software differs from application software in that it does not offer the user the ability to fulfill their tasks, but rather takes care of keeping the computer system running. In other words, it is an operating system: a program designed to run the machine and keep it turned on and ready, ready for the execution of application programs.
This kind of software it usually comes pre-installed on computers, although it can be replaced by others at the discretion of the user. In that case the new system software will need to be purchased and installed as with any application software.
Some examples of this type of program are: Windows, Unix, Linux, iOs, etc.
Programming software
This is how programming languages are known, that is, to the programs that serve to design other programs. For this, the user or programmer has various tools to assist in writing the code for the new piece of software, such as test functions or user-friendly interfaces.
All existing programs come from programming software, and each software of this type allows you to “write” a different language or protocol, although many, of course, are the equivalent of polyglots.
Some examples of this type of software are: QBasic, Visual Pro, C ++, Java script, etc.