Application Software

Example of Application Software

Installation and Removal

All programs in the computer system can never be run unless there is an operating system to run them. However, an operating system is not designed for any specific applications. You need other application software to meet your specific need. There are many different application software. They include data processing software, electronic spreadsheet software, graphics software, word processing software, desktop publishing software and communication software.

Example of Application Software 

-- Packaged applications and custom-made applications

Packaged Applications

Packaged applications have become indispensable for computer users, such as typing, budgeting and processing customer data, we need packaged applications. However, packaged software lacks specificity to a company. It is too general. Examples of packaged applications are shown below: 

 Database software 

Database software allows you to create a database. It then allows you to retrieve, manipulate and update the data that you store in it. A data processing software consists of files which store the data and programs which organize and process these data. Dbase IV, Foxpro and Power Builder are examples of data processing software in the microcomputer world.

 Electronic spreadsheet software 

A spreadsheet is a calculating tool that allows you to organize numerical data in a table format. Electronic spreadsheet is designed to replace the work on paper and calculator. It consists of cells arranged in rows and columns. Besides texts, graphs can also be drawn using the data drawn. Lotus 1-2-3, Excel and Wingz are examples of spreadsheet program in the PC world.

 Graphics 

Graphics definitely help in making document to become more attractive. Today, many software packages can create graphics, for example, most spreadsheets will create bar charts, pie charts and line graphs from data. Other graphic programs which are designed for adding graphics include Paint, Corel Draw, PowerPoint.

 Word Processing 

A word processing program is designed to maintain documents. With word processing program, typewriter will not be needed anymore. Word processing using a computer is faster and more accurate than using a typewriter. Some common word processing packages are Wordstar, Wordperfect and Microsoft Word.

 Desktop Publishing 

With the introduction of desktop publishing software, many features in page layout can be done electronically. This area is best developed by the companies Apple Computer, Inc and Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Custom-made applications

Custom-made applications are tailored to the company designing them. It is very specified and therefore may not be useful for other computers. For examples, we design an application for a shop to computerize.

Click in to see how to choose  the right applications !

There are also many custom-made applications in use . SAMS, school administration and management system, developed by the Education Department of Hong Kong is an example of custom-made application for the purpose of helping school administration. Many point-of-sales application are also custom-made applications.

Installation of Application program in Microsoft Windows

1. First, insert the installation disk into the appropriate drive, or download the installation files form the network to the hard disk if the installation files are saved on the network.
2. Click the Start button, point to Settings and click Control Panel.
3. Click the Add/Remove Programs icon, then click Install.
4. Then follow the installation instructions on the screen.
5. Reboot the computer if necessary.

How to remove applications? 

For Windows application, remember the removal of the directory containing the application does not mean that all the files associated with the application are removed( so don't think just put the program shortcut in the resource recycled bin can remove the application completely!). 

You can use the SETUP programs to remove some components or the whole application programs from your computer. However, it may not do its job best. Some files of the application may still remain in some directories.

The best way to remove the program is to use the Uninstall program, which is designed to remove all the files associated with an application from the hard disk.

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