Chapter 3 Notes – CBIS 2215 – Payne

Application software consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users. The four major categories of popular application software are business software; graphics and multimedia software; software for home, personal, and educational use; and software for communications.

Application software is available in a variety of forms. Packaged software is software that is mass produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs of a variety of users. Custom software performs functions specific to a business or industry. Companies may use programmers to develop tailor-made custom software. Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed free for a trial period. Freeware is software provided at no cost to a user by an individual or a company. Public-domain software is free software that has been donated for public use and has no copyright restrictions.

The Windows XP operating system uses the concept of a desktop, which is an on-screen work area that has a graphical user interface. On the Windows desktop are a Start button and a pointer. A button is a graphical element you activate to cause a specific action to take place. The pointer is a small symbol displayed on the screen that moves as you move the mouse. To start an application, move the pointer to the Start button on the Windows taskbar and then click the Start button by pressing and releasing a button on the mouse. Windows displays the Start menu. A menu contains a series of commands from which you make selections. Click the program name on the menu or on the submenu that displays when you point to a command. Once loaded in memory, the program is displayed in a window, which is a rectangular area of the screen on the desktop.

Business software is application software that assists people in becoming more effective and efficient while performing daily business activities. Business software includes some of the following programs. Word processing software allows users to create a document by entering text or numbers and inserting graphical images, edit the document by making changes to its existing content, and format the document by altering its appearance. Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in rows and columns (called a worksheet), perform calculations, recalculate when data changes, and chart the data in graphical form. Database software allows users to create a database, which is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data. Presentation graphics software allows users to create a slide show that is displayed on a large monitor or on a projection screen and print an outline that includes the text from each slide. A personal information manager (PIM) is software that includes an appointment calendar, address book, notepad, and other features to help users organize personal information. A software suite is a collection of individual programs sold as a single package. Project management software allows users to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project. Accounting software helps companies record and report their financial transactions.

Graphics and multimedia software includes the following. Computer-aided design (CAD) software assists a professional user in creating engineering, architectural, and scientific designs. Desktop publishing (DTP) software enables professional designers to create sophisticated documents that contain text, graphics, and brilliant colors. Paint software, also called illustration software, allows users to draw pictures, shapes, and other graphical images with various on-screen tools. Image editing software provides thecapabilities of paint software and also includes the ability to modify existing images. Video editing software allows users to modify a segment of a video, called a clip. Audio editing software lets users modify audio clips and produce studio-quality soundtracks. Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation into an interactive application. Web page authoring software helps users of all skill levels create Web pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation, and other special effects.

Software for home, personal, and educational use includes the following. Integrated software combines application software such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database into a single, easy-to-use package. Personal finance software is a simplified accounting program that helps users balance their checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, track investments, and evaluate financial plans. Legal software assists in the preparation of legal documents and provides legal information. Tax preparation software guides users through the process of filing federal taxes. Personal DTP software helps users create newsletters, brochures, advertisements, post cards, greeting cards, letterhead, business cards, banners, calendars, logos, and Web pages. Paint/image editing software for personal use provides an easy-to-use interface, usually with more simplified capabilities than its professional counterpart, including functions tailored to meet the needs of the home and small business users. Application software often includes a clip art/image gallery, which is a collection of clip art and photographs. Home design/landscaping software assists users with the design, remodeling, or improvement of a home, deck, or landscape. Educational software teaches a particular skill. Reference software provides valuable and thorough information for all individuals. Entertainment software for personal computers includes interactive games, videos, and other programs to support hobbies or provide amusement and enjoyment.

Application software for communications includes e-mail programs to transmit messages via a network, FTP programs to upload and download files on the Internet, Web browser programs to access and view Web pages, newsreader/message board programs that allow online written discussions with other users, chat room software to have real-time, online typed conversations, instant messaging software for real-time exchange of messages or files, and video conferencing/telephone call software for meetings or conversations on a network between geographically separated people.

A Web application is application software thatexists on a Web site. It requires less disk space on your computer than installed software and is less expensive to upgrade as vendors release new versions. An application service provider (ASP) is a third-party organization that manages and distributes software and services on the Web.

To assist in the learning process, many programs provide a variety of Help features. Online Help is the electronic equivalent of a user manual. Most online Help also links to Web-based help, which provides updates and more comprehensive resources to respond to technical issues about software. A wizard is an automated assistant that helps a user complete a task by asking questions and then automatically performing actions based on the responses