Lesson 2
Application Software
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you can:
1. Describe application software.
2. Recognize the different categories of application software.
3. Know the different forms of application software.
Introduction
A different type of computer software is application software. This kind of software
allows users to make letters, reports, and other documents; create multimedia
presentations; build Web pages and diagrams; draw and polish images; record and
improve audio and video clips, and a lot more. Application software is also known as
productivity software that helps the user do a lot of work using the computer.
Activity
1. Identify all application software you are using on your smartphone and computer.
2. Find a similar application software installed on a computer and a Web version
program of that application software. Compare both of their functions, menus all the
things that make them the same.
ANALYsis
Is application software useful in Education and business? Why?
Are word processing application programs make students lazy? Why?
AbstrACTION
Application Software
It contains programs designed to make users more productive and assists
them with personal tasks.
Variety Uses of Application Software
1. It makes business activities more efficient.
2. It assists graphics and multimedia projects.
3. It supports home, personal, and educational tasks.
4. It facilitates communications.
Four Categories of Application Software
Figure 5.1 Categories of Application Software
Software is available in many different forms:
Retail
Custom
Web app
Mobile app
Mobile web app
Open-source
Shareware
Freeware
Public Domain
Productivity Applications
Assists users to be more effective and efficient while doing their daily
activities at work, school, and home.
Productivity Applications:
o Word Processing
Used to create and manipulate documents.
Presentation
Used to create visual aids for presentations.
Spreadsheet
They are used to formulate and organize data in rows and
columns and can perform calculations.
Database
It was used to collect data and organized to allow access,
retrieval, and use of the collected data.
Note Taking
Used to write notes, draw or sketch anywhere on a page.
Calendar and Contact Management
Used to organize calendar, schedules, keep track of contacts,
and share information with other users.
Project Management
Used to plan, schedule, monitor, and analyze events, resources,
and the costs of a project.
Accounting
They are used to help businesses record their financial
transactions.
Personal Finance
An uncomplicated accounting application helps users balance
their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and
expenses, check account balances, transfer funds, track
investments, and evaluate financial plans.
Legal
It is used to prepare legal documents and provides legal
information to individuals, families, and small businesses.
Tax Preparation
Used to guide users in filing federal taxes.
Document Management
An application helps users share, distribute, and search through
documents by converting them into a user's format.
A collection of desktops, mobile, and web apps provides services to make
business or personal tasks easier to achieve.
o Reference Applications
o Travel Applications
o Retail Applications
• Enterprise firms, or large organizations, require specialized computing
solutions. Human
Resource Software
o Accounting Software
o Engineering or Product Development Software
o Manufacturing Software
o Marketing Software
o Sales Software
o Distribution Software
o Customer Service Software
o Software for Information Technology Staff
Graphics and Media Software
Multimedia Authoring Software
o It is used to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in an
application.
Website Authoring Software
o Used to create web pages.
Media Player
o Used to view images and videos, listen to music, and watch video files
on the computer or mobile device.
Disc Burning Software
o It is used to write text, graphics, audio, and video files on a recordable
or rewritable disc or CD.
Personal Interest Applications
Lifestyle Applications
Medical Applications
Entertainment Applications
Convenience Applications
Education Applications
Communications Applications
Blogging
Browsing
Chat Room
Discussion Forum
E-mail
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Instant Messaging
Videoconference
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
Web Feeds
Wireless Messaging
Figure 5.2 Communication Applications
Security Tools
Personal Firewall
o A security tool that detects and protects computers and their data from
any unauthorized interferences.
Antivirus Program
o A security tool protects a computer against viruses by detecting and
removing viruses found in the computer's memory, storage media, or
incoming files.
Spyware
o A application that is stealthily installed on a computer or mobile device
without
the user's knowledge and collects information about the user and their
activities.
Adware
o A program displays an online advertisement that pops up on the web
pages, e-mail messages, or other Internet services.
Spyware Remover
o A program that recognizes, analyzes, and removes spyware programs
and other related programs.
Adware Remover
o A program that detects and removes adware.
Internet Filters
Anti-spam Programs
Web Filters
Phishing Filters
Pop-up Blockers
APPLICAtion
1. What are the categories of application software? Give at least five application
software you use every day.
2. What are the key features of commonly used business programs?
3. What are the key features of a commonly used home, personal, and
educational program?
Closure
Good job! Now you understand application software its categories and forms.
References:
Vermaat, Freund (2014). Discovering Computers. Course Technology,
Cengage Learning
Morley & Parker (2011). Understanding Computers. Course Technology,
Cengage Learning
