Programs, Apps, and Software Types

Programs and Apps

• A program, also known as software, comprises a set of linked instructions designed for a specific purpose, guiding the computer in executing tasks.
• An application, often called an app or application software, includes programs that enhance user productivity or aid in personal tasks.
• An operating system consists of programs that manage all activities among computer or mobile device hardware.
  • This includes tools, activities, and system software.

Software Availability

• Software can be acquired in various forms:
  • Retail
  • Custom
  • Web app
  • Mobile app
  • Mobile web app
  • Shareware
  • Freeware
  • Open source
  • Public domain

Productivity Applications

• Productivity applications enhance effectiveness and efficiency in daily tasks at work, school, and home.
• Productivity applications often involve creating, editing, formatting, saving, and distributing projects.
• Types of Productivity Applications:
  • Word processing
  • Presentation
  • Spreadsheet
  • Database
  • Note taking
  • Calendar and contact management
  • Project management
  • Accounting
  • Personal finance
  • Legal
  • Tax preparation
  • Document Management
  • Enterprise computing
• Word processing enables users to create and change documents easily.
• Presentation software enables users to create visual aids to communicate ideas to a group.
• Spreadsheet software helps users organize data in columns and rows and perform calculations.
• Database software allows users to create, access, and manage organized data.
• Note-taking software allows for typed text, handwritten comments, drawings, sketches, photos, and links on a page.
• Calendar and contact management software helps organize schedules, track contacts, and share data.
• A software suite is a collection of individual applications.
• Project management software enables users to plan, schedule, track, and analyze project events, resources, and costs.
• Accounting software aids businesses in recording and reporting financial transactions.
• Personal finance software simplifies accounting for home users and small offices, managing checkbooks, bills, income, expenses, and investments.
• Legal software assists in preparing legal documents and provides legal information.
• Tax preparation software guides users through filing federal and state taxes.
• Document management software provides a means for sharing, distributing, and searching through documents.
• Large organizations, or enterprises, require special computing solutions due to their size and geographic distribution.
  • This could include human resources software, accounting software, engineering or product development software, manufacturing software, marketing software, sales software, distribution software, customer service software, or software for information technology staff

Graphics and Media Software

• Types of Graphic and Media Software
  • Computer-aided design (CAD) software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • Paint/Image editing software
  • Photo editing and photo management software
  • Video and audio editing software
• Multimedia authoring software allows integrating text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in interactive applications.
• Website authoring software enables users to create webpages with graphics, video, audio, animation, and special effects.
• Media players allow viewing images and animations and listening to audio and video files.
• Disc burning software writes text, graphics, audio, and video files onto recordable or rewritable discs.

Personal Interest Applications

• Types of Personal Interest Applications
  • Lifestyle
  • Medical
  • Entertainment
  • Convenience
  • Education

Communications Applications

• Types of Communication Applications:
  • Blogs
  • Browsing
  • Chat
  • Online discussion
  • Email
  • File transfer
  • Internet phone
  • Instant messaging
  • Mobile messaging
  • Videoconference
  • Web feeds

Security Tools

• A personal firewall detects and protects a computer and its data from unauthorized intrusions.
• Antivirus programs protect against viruses by identifying and removing them from memory, storage media, or incoming files.
• Spyware is a program that secretly collects a user's information and communicates it to an outside source.
• Adware displays online advertisements.
• Spyware removers detect and delete spyware and similar programs.
• Adware removers detect and delete adware.
• Other Security Tools:
  • Anti-spam programs
  • Web filtering software
  • Phishing filters
  • Pop-up and pop-under blockers

File, Disk, and System Management Tools

• A file manager performs functions related to file management.
• A search tool locates files, contacts, calendar events, or apps based on specified criteria.
• An image viewer displays, copies, and prints graphics files.
• An uninstaller removes programs and associated system file entries.
• A disk cleanup tool searches for and removes unnecessary files.
• A disk defragmenter reorganizes files and unused space for quicker data access and faster program execution.
  • This is known as defragmenting.
• A screen saver displays a moving image or blank screen when there is no activity.
• File compression tools reduce file sizes.
• PC maintenance tools identify and fix OS problems, detect and repair drive issues, and improve computer performance.
• A backup tool copies or backs up selected files or entire storage to another medium.
• A restore tool returns backed up files to their original location.