Date First Published: 21st February 2024
Topic: Computer Systems
Subtopic: Computer Software
Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions
Difficulty: MediumDifficulty Level: 4/10
Learn about what application software is in this article.
Application software is a type of software designed to fulfil a specific need or perform specific tasks other than one relating to the operation or maintenance of a computer. Installing application software in addition to an operating system gives a computer extra capabilities. Word processors, web browsers, image editors, and video players are examples of application software.
Application software responds to user input to allow users to perform educational, personal, and professional tasks using system software to function. The application can exist as a single program or a collection of programs and can be bundled with the computer and its system software or published separately. Application software can be licensed as open-source, proprietary software, or freeware.
Application software can be downloaded and installed on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or accessed online. With the internet, users have access to online applications, such as Google Drive and Microsoft 365, which are not installed on individual computers, but are accessed through a web browser. Online versions of applications can be used anywhere with an internet-connected device without the need for manual updates as the provider takes care of that. Web applications can be written in several languages, but they cannot access the hardware.
The main difference between application software and system software is that application software is designed to fulfil a specific need or perform specific tasks other than one relating to the operation or maintenance of a computer, whilst system software is designed to run the hardware and application programs of a computer. Application software uses system software for access to basic system resources, such as memory, storage, and other utilities.
System software and application software are also triggered differently. System software is triggered when a computer or device is turned on and stays on until the device is turned off, whilst application software is manually triggered by a user after the device is turned on and needs system software to run.
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