application software

Application software consists of programs that enable computers to perform useful tasks, as opposed to programs that are concerned with the operation of the computer itself (see opeRating system and systems pRogRamming). To most users, applications programs are the computer: They determine how the user will accomplish tasks.

The following table gives a selection of representative applications:

deveLoPing and distributing aPPLications

Applications can be divided into three categories based on how they are developed and distributed. Commercial applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and general-purpose Database management Systems (DBmS) are developed by companies specializing in such software and distributed to a variety of businesses and individual users (see WoRd pRocessing, spReadsheet, and databasemanagement system). Niche or specialized applications (such as hospital billing systems) are designed for and markketed to a particular industry (see medical applications of computeRs). These programs tend to be much more expensive and usually include extensive technical support. 

Finally, in-house applications are developed by programmers within a business or other institution for their own use. Examples might include employee training aids or a Web-based product catalog (although such applications could also be developed using commercial software such as multimedia or database development tools).

   While each application area has its own needs and priorities, the discipline of software development (see softWaRe engineeRing and pRogRamming enviRonment) is generally applicable to all major products. Software developers try to improve speed of development as well as program reliability by using software development tools that simplify the writing and testing of computer code, as well as the manipulation of graphics, sound, and other resources used by the program. An applications developer must also have a good understanding of the features and limitations of the relevant operating system. The developer of commercial software must work closely with the marketing department to work out issues of feature selection, timing of releases, and anticipation of trends in software use (see maRketing of softWaRe).