Chapter 3: Basic Application
Software
Application Software
End user software that is used to accomplish a variety of tasks
2 categories:
Basic Application
Specialized Application
Basic Applications
Basic applications are used in nearly every discipline and
occupation.
Common types
Word processors
Spreadsheets
Database management systems
Presentation graphics
Specialized Application
programs more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and
occupations
Includes:
Graphics programs
Audio and video editors
Multimedia authoring programs
Web authoring programs
Virtual reality programs
Common Features
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Menus
Toolbars
Dialog Boxes
Icons
Windows
Word Processors
Used to create text-based documents
Memos, letters, and faxes
Newsletters, manuals, and brochures
Word processing programs
Microsoft Word
Kingsoft Writer
Notepad
Wordpad
LibreOffice Writer
Spreadsheets
Programs that organize, analyze, and graph numeric data
Spreadsheet programs
Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets
LibreOffice Calc
Kingsoft Office Spreadsheets
DBMS (Database Management
Systems)
A collection of related data
Electronic equivalent of a file cabinet
Comprised of tables, queries, forms, and reports
Microsoft Access is the most popular desktop database
management software
Presentation Graphics
Programs that combine a variety of visual objects to create
visually interesting presentations
Presentation programs
Microsoft PowerPoint
Corel Presentations
Apple Keynote
Prezi
Integrated Packages
A single program that provides the functionality of a word
processor, spreadsheet, database, and more
Advantages
cost and simplicity
Disadvantages
limited functions
Software Suites
Collection of separate application programs bundled together
and sold as a group