The document explains the distinction between application software, which is directly used by individuals to perform specific tasks, and system software, which operates in the background to facilitate communication between hardware components. It details various types of application software like word processors, database management, and multimedia software, highlighting their advantages, such as tailored functionalities and updates, alongside disadvantages like potential compatibility issues and development costs. Additionally, the document categorizes software into licensed, sold, freeware, shareware, and open-source, emphasizing the importance of application software in performing tasks for both individuals and organizations.

1. Application Software
Our computers and mobile devices are all loaded with all kinds of software, and each
software has a different purpose to fulfill. It is important to first understand the
differences between application software and system software. System software is the
programming and the coding that is utilized by the various components in the device to
communicate with each other. There are millions of commands and instructions that are
transferred from one component to another with every passing second, and the system
software enables this flow of communication. Additionally, the person using the device
does not directly interact with or use the system software, since it is all happening inside
the device itself.
On the other hand, application software is that which is used directly by the user for the
sole purpose of completing a certain task. This type of software needs to be installed
separately on a device, and it regularly has interfaces that enable communication between
the machine and the user, hence giving rise to many different advantages and
disadvantages. For instance, consider a program that allows you to work with databases.
This is a software that is used for a specific application, so it falls under this category. It
is universally assumed that they have many advantages, and you will be hard pressed to
find disadvantages for the same because ultimately, the purpose of all these devices is to
perform many tasks with their help.
Common Types of Application Software
The different types of application software are used by individual users and business
enterprises as well, and they have many benefits of doing so. This includes word
processing software, database software, multimedia software, editing software, and many
other different kinds as well. All these software are either provided individually, or they
are packaged together and sold by business to business sellers. When a whole variety of
them are integrated collectively and sold to a business, they can take up the form of
enterprise software, educational software, simulation software, information worker
software, etc.
Advantages
When you begin to compare, you will find that the pros outweigh the cons very easily.
With that in mind, here are some of their most popular and widely accepted benefits.
Note that in this scenario, we are speaking of application software that is designed for a
specific purpose, to be used either by individuals or by businesses.
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 one
specific software to accomplish his task.
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.
Licensed application software gets regular updates from the developer for security
reasons. Additionally, the developer also regularly sends personnel to correct any
problems that may arise from time to time.

2. Disadvantages
As is the case with all such matters, there are certain disadvantages of such software as
well. Though these are not spoken about very often, nor are they highlighted, the fact is
that they do exist and affect certain users. But people have accepted these misgivings and
still continue to use such software because their utility and importance is much more
profound than their weaknesses.
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 a software that is not generally acceptable.
Some software that are designed specifically for a certain business, may not be
compatible with other general software. This is something that can prove to be a major
stumbling block for many corporations.
Developing them is something that takes a lot of time, because it needs constant
communication between the developer and the customer. This delays the entire
production process, which can prove to be harmful in some cases.
Application software that is used commonly by many people, and then shared online,
carries a very real threat of infection by a computer virus or other malicious programs.
So, whether you are buying them off the shelf, or whether you are hiring a developer to
build specific software for you, all of these points will seem pertinent to you. Many
individuals and businesses have regularly found the need and the requirement for such
software, and the fact remains that any computing device will be utterly useless without
such software running on it.
Computer software is defined as a set of programs and procedures that are intended to
perform specific tasks on a computer system. A software program is a set of instructions
that are aimed at changing the state of computer hardware. At the lowest level, software
is in the form of an assembly language, a set of instructions in a machine-understandable
form. At the highest level, software is in the form of high-level languages, which are
compiled or interpreted into machine language code.
Major Types of Software
Computer software systems are classified into three main types, namely, system software,
programming software and application software. System software comprises device
drivers, operating systems, servers and other such software components, which help the
programmer abstract away from the memory and hardware features of the system.
Programming software assists a programmer in writing programs by providing him/her
with tools such as editors, compilers, linkers, debuggers and more. Application software,
one of the most important types of software, are used to achieve certain specific tasks.
What is Application Software?
Application software utilizes the capacities of a computer directly for a dedicated task. It
is able to manipulate text, numbers and graphics. It can be in the form of software
focused on a certain single task like word processing, spreadsheets or playing of audio
and video files. Here we look at the application software types along with some examples
of the software of each type.
Different Types of Application Software
Word Processing Software
This software enables users to create and edit documents. The most popular examples of

3. this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad and Notepad among other text editors.
Database Software
Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on database
software to organize data and enable database users to perform database operations.
Database software allows users to store and retrieve data from databases. Examples are
Oracle, MSAccess, etc.
Spreadsheet Software
Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of spreadsheet software.
These software allow users to perform calculations using spreadsheets. They simulate
paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make a grid.
Multimedia Software
They allow users to create and play audio and video files. They are capable of playing
media files. Audio converters, audio players, burners, video encoders and decoders are
some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type include Real Player and
Media Player.
Presentation Software
The software that is used to display information in the form of a slide show is known as
presentation software. This type of software includes three functions, namely, editing that
allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in the text and a
functionality of executing slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of
presentation software.
Enterprise Software
It deals with the needs of organizational processes and data flow. Customer relationship
management or the financial processes in an organization are carried out with the help of
enterprise software.
Information Worker Software
Individual projects within a department and with individual needs of creation and
management of information are handled by information worker software. Documentation
tools, resource management tools and personal management systems fall under this
category of application software.
Educational Software
It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the capabilities of
a collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning. Dictionaries like
Britannica and Encarta, mathematical software like MATLAB and others like Google
Earth and NASA World Wind are some of the well-known names in this category.
Simulation Software
Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds applications in
both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific simulators are examples
of simulation software.
Content Access Software
It is used to access content without editing. Common examples of content access software
are web browsers and media players.
Application Suites
An application suite is an important type of application software. It consists of a group of
applications combined to perform related functions. OpenOffice and Microsoft Office are
the best examples of this type of application software. These application suites, as you

4. know, come as bundles of applications like word processors, spreadsheets, presentation
software, etc. Applications in the suite can work together or operate on each other's files.
Software that aid Engineering and Development of Products
These software are used in the design and development of hardware and software
products. Integrated development environments (IDE) and computer language editing
tools fall under this type of application software. Interestingly, software products are
developed using other software, and software communicate with one another through
software. Application programming interfaces which aid the communication of two or
more software, are examples of this application software type.
Application software are available in different forms such as these.
Licensed
A majority of software applications are licensed and not sold. In this case, a user
purchases a software license and not the software itself. The vendor allows for the
installation of this software on a specific number of machines. Sometimes, the license is
limited to a certain number of users. Most software licenses allow you to run the
application on only one machine, although you are allowed to copy the software on other
machines for backup purposes. Licenses disallow the resale of software.
Sold
As opposed to licensed software, these software are sold to users. You need to purchase
this type of software from the vendor in which case, you own a legitimate copy of the
software. This allows you to resale the software.
As Freeware
Application software that can be downloaded, used and copied without any restrictions is
known as freeware. Generally small programs are released as freeware and are open for
use.
As Shareware
These application software can be downloaded but you need to pay some amount for
using them. Generally, mid-size software developed by software companies are made
available as shareware.
Open Source
Open source software, as their name suggests, are made available with their source code.
The code is open for modification and use. People mistake open source software for free.
But note that here, 'free' refers to the freely available source code, thus making the
software open for further development by users.
Needs to be Installed
This is true with many application software; for example spreadsheet software, word
processors, data management software, etc. They need to be installed on your computer
hard drive for use.
Runs Online
Antivirus software runs online. Similarly, Internet games that you can play online and
which don't need to be downloaded fall under this category.
Simply put, application software are those designed for specific purposes, or meant for
specific applications. Application software are of great use in completing individual and
organizational tasks, as they have user-friendly features and are easy and interactive to
use.

5. Utilities
This utility concept is some what same as like tool kit and tool box that came with your newly
purchased bike. Though we are not mechanic, these tools are given for the purpose of conducting
periodic maintenance of bike to maintain its efficiency and performance. Utilities functions in
the same manner for your computer to make more efficient. Utilities are also known as service
programs. Generally utilities are used to perform specific tasks related managing computer
resources. Few examples of utility software are:
 Anti-virus
 Registry cleaners
 Disk defragmenters
 Data backup utility
 Disk cleaners
Device Drivers
As we know there are different types of devices connected to a computer system which
includes some input devices (for example.. keyboard, mouse, scanner etc.), some output
devices (for example. monitor, printer, speaker etc.) and other devices like pen drive,
mobiles etc. Then one question arises that how can computer distinguish these devices
while functioning them. And answer is because of these device drivers.
Whenever you connect device (printer, mouse etc.) to computer system, computer system
has a special program associated with it. This program is called a device driver. Device
drivers works with operating system. And because of this there is communication
between that device and rest of computer system.
Every time when you connect new device to computer system, it searches for its device
drivers in operating system and if found, operating system install it and device work
properly. And if device drivers are not in operating system then it gives you message for
providing it.
Language translators
Language translators translate programming code or programming instructions into
machine code so that computer can understand and process it.
 Compiler
 Interpreter
 Assembler

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