Software designed to perform some specific task for users is known as application software.
The software is being applied to the solution of a problem. It can transform a personal computer into a word processor, a spreadsheet, a games machine, a database system, an Internet browser, a digital video studio or virtually any other type of data processor. Applications for large computer systems can run hotels, communication networks, banking systems, government departments, warehouses and a myriad of other tasks. Application software is what makes computers such versatile machines.
Types of Application Software
- Off the Shelf packages
- Applications that are distributed as pre-packaged products
- May be distributed through retail shops or Internet shops
- Most PC software are of this type
- Office software
- Graphic and Audio Editors
- Large Commericial OTS versions
- Expensive and time consuming to create
- Application Software -
- Based on industry legislation and standard operating procedures
- Purchasers usually adapt their business to match the Application
- COTS - customised off the shelf - e.g. MS Access (create apps from another app)
- Some OTS products needs to be customised for a specific organisation to suit varying requirements
- Large Commericial OTS are customisable
- Development teams or Configuration Teams come into organisation and "tweak" the system to match specific requirements
- Smaller COTS systems include
- MS Access - bought as a package and used to create a small tailored system for specific purposes
- COTS product is used as a tool to create a new Application
- Custom designed packages
- Unique problems or unique business circumstances - no existing solution available
- Need a "bespoke" system designed and created
- COTS products used to create bespoke systems are not always most efficient
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