Application software

Terminology

Meaning program and software

When used as an adjective, application can have a broader meaning than that described in this article.{{Cite web|title=Application Package Software: The Promise Vs. Reality | website= Cutter Consortium | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202225513/https://www.cutter.com/article/application-package-software-promise-vs-reality-393871 | archive-date= 2 February 2016 | url-status=live

Distinction between system and application software

The distinction between system and application software is subjective and has been the subject of controversy. For example, one of the key questions in the United States v. Microsoft Corp. antitrust trial was whether Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser was part of its Windows operating system or a separate piece of application software. As another example, the GNU/Linux naming controversy is, in part, due to disagreement about the relationship between the Linux kernel and the operating systems built over this kernel. In some types of embedded systems, the application software and the operating system software may be indistinguishable by the user, as in the case of software used to control a VCR, DVD player, or microwave oven. The above definitions may exclude some applications that may exist on some computers in large organizations. For an alternative definition of an app: * see Application Portfolio Management.*

Killer application

A killer application (killer app, coined in the late 1980s) is an application that is so popular that it causes demand for its host platform to increase. For example, VisiCalc was the first modern spreadsheet software for the Apple II and helped sell the then-new personal computers into offices. For the BlackBerry, it was its email software.

Software suite

As software suite consists of multiple applications bundled together. They usually have related functions, features, and user interfaces, and may be able to interact with each other, e.g. open each other's files. Business applications often come in suites, e.g. Microsoft Office, LibreOffice and iWork, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, etc.; but suites exist for other purposes, e.g. graphics or music.

Ways to classify

As there so many applications and since their attributes vary so dramatically, there are many different ways to classify them.

By legal aspects

Proprietary software is protected under an exclusive copyright, and a software license grants limited usage rights. Such applications may allow add-ons from third parties.

Free and open-source software (FOSS) can be run, distributed, sold, and extended for any purpose. FOSS software released under a free license may be perpetual and also royalty-free. Perhaps, the owner, the holder or third-party enforcer of any right (copyright, trademark, patent, or ius in re aliena) are entitled to add exceptions, limitations, time decays or expiring dates to the license terms of use.

Public-domain software is a type of FOSS that is royalty-free and can be run, distributed, modified, reversed, republished, or created in derivative works without any copyright attribution and therefore revocation. It can even be sold, but without transferring the public domain property to other single subjects. Public-domain software can be released under a (un)licensing legal statement, which enforces those terms and conditions for an indefinite duration (for a lifetime, or forever).

By platform

An application can be categorized by the host platform on which it runs. Notable platforms include operating system (native), web browser, cloud computing and mobile. For example a web application runs in a web browser whereas a more traditional, native application runs in the environment of a computer's operating system.

There has been a contentious debate regarding web applications replacing native applications for many purposes, especially on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Web apps have indeed greatly increased in popularity for some uses, but the advantages of applications make them unlikely to disappear soon, if ever. Furthermore, the two can be complementary, and even integrated.

Horizontal vs. vertical

Application software can be seen as either horizontal or vertical. Horizontal applications are more popular and widespread, because they are general purpose, for example word processors or databases. Vertical applications are niche products, designed for a particular type of industry or business, or department within an organization. Integrated suites of software will try to handle every specific aspect possible of, for example, manufacturing or banking worker, accounting, or customer service.

By purpose

There are many types of application software:

; Enterprise: Addresses the needs of an entire organization's processes and data flows, across several departments, often in a large distributed environment. Examples include enterprise resource planning systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, data replication engines, and supply chain management software. Departmental Software is a sub-type of enterprise software with a focus on smaller organizations or groups within a large organization. (Examples include travel expense management and IT Helpdesk.)

; Enterprise infrastructure: Provides common capabilities needed to support enterprise software systems. (Examples include databases, email servers, and systems for managing networks and security.)

; Application platform as a service (aPaaS): A cloud computing service that offers development and deployment environments for application services.

; Knowledge worker: Lets users create and manage information, often for individual projects within a department, in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource management, analytical, collaborative and documentation tools. Word processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal information systems, and individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks.

; Content access: Used primarily to access content without editing, but may include software that allows for content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to consume digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include media players, web browsers, and help browsers.)

; Educational: Related to content access software, but has the content or features adapted for use by educators or students. For example, it may deliver evaluations (tests), track progress through material, or include collaborative capabilities.

; Simulation: Simulates physical or abstract systems for either research, training, or entertainment purposes.

; Media development: Generates print and electronic media for others to consume, most often in a commercial or educational setting. This includes graphic-art software, desktop publishing software, multimedia development software, HTML editors, digital-animation editors, digital audio and video composition, and many others.

; Engineering: Used in developing hardware and software products. This includes computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer language editing and compiling tools, integrated development environments, and application programmer interfaces.

; Entertainment: Refers to video games, screen savers, programs to display motion pictures or play recorded music, and other forms of entertainment which can be experienced through the use of a computing device.

Taxonomy

This section is a taxonomy of kinds of applications. This organization is but one of many different ways to organize them. A kind is included in only one category even if it logically fits in multiple.

General-purpose

• Spreadsheet
• Web browser

Communication

• Email
• Presentation software

Documentation

• Desktop publishing software
• Document automation
• Text editor
• Word processor

Data management

• Contact manager
• Database management system
• Digital asset management
• Document management
• Geographic information system

Resource management

• Digital calendar
• Employee scheduling software
• Enterprise resource planning
• Field service management
  • Workforce management software
• Project management software
• Reservation systems
• Workflow software

[[Financial software]]

• Banking software
• Clearing systems
• Accounting software

Educational

[[Video game]]

• Arcade video game
• Console game
• Mobile game
• Personal computer game
• Simulation game
  • Vehicle simulation game

[[Computer simulation| Simulation]]

• Computational science
• Social simulation
• Military simulation
• Flight simulator
• Driving simulator

Media

• 3D computer graphics software
• Animation software
• Demoscene
• Graphic art software
  • Raster graphics editor
  • Vector graphics editor
• Image organizer
• Video editing software
• Audio editing software
  • Digital audio workstation
• Music sequencer
  • Scorewriter
• Software art

[[Hardware engineering]]

• Computer-aided design
• Computer-aided engineering
• Computer-aided manufacturing
• Finite element analysis

[[Software development]]

Software designed and intended for software development is classified as application software even though utility software is commonly used in the process of developing software. Categories of software development application software include:

• Integrated development environment
• Game development tool
• HTML editor
• License manager
• Source code editor
• Version control

References

References

1. {{OED. application software
2. "Application software". [[Ziff Davis]].
3. Dvorak, John. (1989-07-01). "Looking to OS/2 for the next killer app is barking up the wrong tree. Here's where they really come from.". [[Ziff Davis]].
4. . ["killer app"](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/killer-app).
5. "Definition of desktop application".
6. Gassée, Jean-Louis. (2012-09-17). "The Silly Web vs. Native Apps Debate".
7. Frechette, Casey. (2013-04-11). "What journalists need to know about the difference between Web apps and native apps". Poynter.
8. Valums, Andrew. (2010-02-10). "Web apps vs desktop apps". valums.com.
9. "What Is a Horizontal Application?".
10. "What Are Horizontal Services?".
11. (2015-12-21). "What is Application Software & Its Types {{!}} eduCBA". eduCBA.
12. Campbell-Kelly, Martin; Aspray, William (1996). ''Computer: A History of the Information Machine''. New York: Basic Books. {{ISBN. 0-465-02990-6.