Application Software: ICT 400

Topic 3: Application Software

• Application software is the programs designed to make users more productive or assist with personal tasks.
• ICT 400 - Fundamentals of Information Technology.

Overview of Application Software Roles

• Application software plays various roles to assist users.
• Business software aids in performing business activities.
• Graphics and multimedia software handles visual and audio-related tasks.
• Web-based software is accessible and functional via the internet.

Programs and Apps

• A program or software consists of related instructions organized for a common purpose, and tells the computer what tasks to perform and how.
• Applications, or apps, are programs designed to make users more productive or to help with personal tasks.
• The operating system coordinates all activities among computer or mobile device hardware.
  • This includes tools and utilities, also system software.
• Technologies used to create apps depend on whether they will be installed on a user's device or accessed via a network.
  • Native, cloud, web, and mobile web apps are some examples.
• Programs and apps are distributed in various forms.
  • Retail, custom, shareware, freeware, open source, and public domain software exist.

Productivity Applications

• Productivity applications enhance effectiveness and efficiency in various activities like work, school, and home.
  • Examples include word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and database software.
  • Note taking, calendar management, project management, and accounting software are also useful.
  • Finance, legal, tax preparation, document management, support services, and enterprise computing are productivity applications.
• Through the use of productivity applications, users may create, edit, format, save, and destribute projects.
• Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents like letters, memos, reports, mailing labels, and newsletters.
• Presentation software helps users create visual aids to communicate ideas and information to a group.
• Spreadsheet software allows users to organize data in columns and rows and perform calculations on the data.
• Database software allows users to create, access, and manage a database.
  • A database is a collection of data that is organized to allow access, retrieval, and use of that data.
• Note-taking software lets users enter typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, sketches, photos, and links anywhere on a page.
• Calendar and contact management software organizes calendars, keeps track of contacts and shares these details.
• A software suite is a collection of related applications sold together.
• Project management software allows a user to plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project.
• Accounting software helps businesses of all sizes record and report their financial transactions.
• Personal finance software helps home and small businesses manage finances.
• Legal software assists in preparing legal documents and provides information for individuals, families, and small businesses.
• Tax preparation software is an application that can guide users in filing federal and state taxes.
• Document conversion software saves documents in a common format while maintaining the original appearance.

Enterprise Computing Solutions

• Large organizations require special computing solutions, including:
  • Human resources software.
  • Accounting and finance software.
  • Engineering or product development software.
  • Manufacturing software.
  • Marketing software.
  • Sales software.
  • Distribution software.
  • Customer service software.
  • Information technology software.

Graphics and Media Software

• Computer-aided design (CAD) software is used for design and technical documentation, replacing manual drafting with automated processes.
• Desktop publishing software is a tool for graphic designers and non-designers alike to create visual communications for print or online publishing.
• Paint/image editing software allows images to be edited and converted to different graphics formats.
• Photo editing software is used to manipulate or enhance digital images.
• Video and audio editing software allows users to edit, modify, or manipulate video and audio files.
• Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation into an interactive application.
• Website authoring software helps users create business websites.
• Augmented reality (AR) apps overlay digital content onto physical objects/locations.
• Virtual reality (VR) apps provide immersive user experiences.
• Media players allows you to view images, animations, listen to audio, and watch video files.

Personal Interest Applications

• Personal interest applications include lifestyle, medical, enterntainment, convenience, and education appilications.

Communications Applications

• Communications Applications include blogs, browsers, online discussion, e-mail, file transfer, internet phone, and video conferencing,

Security Tools

• A personal firewall detects and protects a personal computer and its data from unauthorized intrusions.
• An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing them in memory, storage media, or incoming files.
• Spyware secretly collects information about the user.
• Adware displays online advertisements in various forms.
• Spyware removers detect and delete spyware.
• Adware removers detect and delete adware.
• Anti-spam programs attempt to block spam from your computer or device.
• Web filtering software attempts to restrict access to specified websites.
• Phishing filters worn you about fraudulent or suspiscious websites.
• Pop-up and pop-under blockers prevent these types of adds from appearing.

File, Disk, and System Management Tools

• A file manager manages files.
• A search tool locates files, contacts, and other items based on specified criteria.
• An image viewer is a tool that lets users displaand copy the contents of a graohics file like a photo.
• An uninstaller removes programs and associated entries from the system files.
• Disk cleanup tools search for and remove unnecessary files automatically.
• A disk defragmenter reorganizes files and unused space on a computer's hard disk for faster data access.
• A screen saver is a tool that causes a display device's screen to show a moving image or blank screen, when the mouse or keyboard is unmoved for a specified time.
• A file compression tool reduces the size of files.
• A PC maintenance tool identifies and fixes certain operating system problems while improving the performance and reliability of the computer.
• A back up tool is a way to copy the selected and important files on an entire storage medium safely.
• A restore tool returns backed up files to the location they came from.
• A Power Management tool monitors battery usage and remaining battery on various devices.

Business Software Types

• Business software is used to assist people performing business activities, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and personal information manager (PIM)
• Additional Software includes:
  • Mobile business
  • Business suite
  • Project management
  • Accounting
  • Document management
  • Enterprises computing
• Examples shown demonstrate computer software types.
• Enterprises typically need to have unique software that provides assistance for their business.

HR Software

• Human Resource SaaS companies provide the necessary software to track, analyze, test, and resolve problems with labor and the workforce.
• Human resouse softwaw is a specific type of business software.

Graphics and Multimedia Software

• The software can generally be classified into a handful of areas:

1. CAD(Computer Aided Design) software.
2. Desktop Publishing software.
3. Paint & Image editing software.
4. Photo editing software.
5. Video & Audio editing software.
6. Media Authoring Software.

• Website Authoring Software also classifies as Graphics and Multimedia.

Software for Home, Personal, and Educational Use

• Software for home, personal, and educational use are applications that assist with completing tasks outside of business.
• Travel and Mapping software assists users in getting from A to B.
• Educational software includes the wide range of learning programs that teach new skills.
• Entertainment software comprises a wide range of computer based entertainment.

Web Application Software

• Many common apps now have specific types of we application software.
• Web-based help is increasingly common for solving technical issues quickly.
• The types of web based software include:
  • E-mail
  • Blogging
  • Text Picture
  • Video Messaging

Application Software tools

• Online help is an electronic equivalent of a user manual.
• Web-based help gives more comprehensive help tools and updates for software issue.