Application software

Windows Calculator, a calculator application, running on Windows 10

Application software is software that is intended for end-user use , 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).

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.

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.

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 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.

Application software for a desktop or laptop computer

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.

• Calculator
• Spreadsheet
• Web browser
• Web mapping
• E-commerce
• Social media

• Chat
• Email
• Presentation software
• Phone
• Messages
• Networking software
• Web conferencing

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

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

• Booking software
• Digital calendar
• Employee scheduling software
• Enterprise resource planning
• Event log
• Field service management
  • Workforce management software
• File manager
• Productivity software
• Project management software
• Reservation systems
• Server management system
• Settings
• Workflow software

• Banking software
• Clearing systems
• Accounting software

1. 1 2 "application software". Oxford English Dictionary (online ed.). Oxford University Press.(Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
2. ↑ "Application software". PC Magazine. Ziff Davis.
3. ↑ Ulrich, William (August 31, 2006). "Application Package Software: The Promise Vs. Reality". Cutter Consortium. Cutter Benchmark Review. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
4. ↑ "killer app". dictionary.com. Retrieved 2023-03-26. Origin of killer app 1985–1990
5. ↑ Frechette, Casey (2013-04-11). "What journalists need to know about the difference between Web apps and native apps". Poynter. Retrieved 2017-01-04.
6. ↑ "What Are Horizontal Services?". Archived from the original on 2013-10-31.
7. ↑ Learning materials related to Application software at Wikiversity
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