Understanding Application Software

                                          

Some types of application software:

Word processing
Spreadsheet
Database
Presentation graphics
Graphics and Other types of application software

Software Basics

Software ownership rights: Specify the allowable use of the program
Software license: Specifies the conditions under which buyer of the program can use it

Software Ownership Rights

Commercial software: Copyrighted software developed, usually by a commercial company, for sale to others
Shareware: Copyrighted software distributed on the honor system; consumers should either pay for it or uninstall it after the trial period
Freeware: Copyrighted software that may be used free of charge
Public domain software: Software that is not copyrighted and may be used without restriction
Open source software: Programs with source code available to the general public

Installed vs. Web-Based Software

Installed software: Must be installed on the PC before it can be run
o Can be purchased in physical form
o Can be downloaded from the Internet
Web-based software: Run directly from the Internet. Also called Software as a Service (SaaS)
Includes games and other free programs
Includes fee based software available through an application service provider (ASP)

Software Suites

Software suite: Collection of software programs bundled together and sold as a single software package Office suites (e.g. Microsoft Office) are used by most businesses and many individuals to produce documents; typically include:
  · Word processing software
  · Spreadsheet software
  · Database software
  · Presentation graphics software
  · Additional productivity tools like calendars, messaging programs, or collaboration tools
  · Facilitate object linking and embedding
Integrated software programs: Similar to suites, but with fewer features (e.g. Microsoft Works)

Word Processing Concepts

• Word processing software: Used to create written documents (memos, letters, reports, etc.)
• Actual commands and features vary somewhat from program to program
• Important to be familiar with the basic features of word processing and the general concept of what word
processing enables you to do
• Common programs
 – Microsoft Word
 – Corel WordPerfect
 – Apple Pages

Word Processing on the Web

• Most word processing programs today include Web related features allowing you to:
  – Send a document as an e-mail message
  – Include Web page hyperlinks in documents
  – Create or modify Web pages
• Default Word 2007 file format is .docx
• There are optional file formats for documents created in many word processing programs

Spreadsheet Concepts

• Spreadsheet software: Used to create electronic spreadsheets
• Spreadsheets: Documents which typically contain a great deal of numbers and mathematical computations
and are organized into rows and columns
• Worksheet : A single spreadsheet
• Workbook: Multiple worksheets saved in a single file
• Most widely used spreadsheet programs
  – Microsoft Excel
  – Corel Quattro Pro
  – Apple Number

Database Concepts

• Database: A collection of related data that is stored in a manner enabling information to be retrieved as
needed
• Database management system (DBMS): Software that allows the creation and manipulation of an electronic database
• Most widely used database programs
  – Microsoft Access
  – Corel Paradox
  – Lotus Approach

Presentation Graphic Concepts

• Electronic slide show: Group of slides containing images, text, video clips, or sound clips displayed for
educational or business presentations
• Presentation graphics software: Used to create presentation graphics
• Most common presentation graphics programs are
  – Microsoft PowerPoint
  – Corel Presentations
  – Apple Keynote

Graphics Software

• Graphics software: Used to create or modify images
   -Painting programs:  Typically used to create bitmapped (Microsoft Paint, Corel Painter X)

   - Drawing programs: Typically create images using mathematical formulas (Adobe® Illustrator® CS3,
CorelDRAW X3)
   - Image editing or photo editing programs: Designed for touching up or modifying images
     • Crop, eliminate red-eye, etc.
     • Optimize file size for the Web
     • Adobe Photoshop, Apple iPhoto,

Other Types of Application Software

• Desktop and personal publishing software
• Educational software
• Entertainment software
• Reference software
• Accounting and personal finance software
• CAD and other types of design software

• Project management and collaboration software
• Remote access software
• Note taking and personal productivity software