Types of Application Software

Basic concept of word processing, Business Software, Graphic software etc.

There are two types of application software: general-purpose (designed for general applications, such as payroll and so on and dedicated software (designed for specific applications, such as the space shuttle).

• Word processing 

Computerization of the creation and management of documents. Allows easy correction and manipulation of text.

• Desktop publishing

Produces documents such as memos and pamphlets. Has many of the features of word processing along with more sophisticated text and graphics capabilities.

• Spreadsheets

Electronic calculators used for extensive number crunching, such as financial analysis, budget preparation, and other numerical analysis. Also used for "what-if" analyses.

• Computer graphics

Provides for the creation and management, of sophisticated graphics, charts, and figures. Often comes with extensive color capabilities and clip art.

•  Accounting Software

Automates accounting functions, such as general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable. Often can be interfaced with other financial systems, such as payroll, budgeting, and so on.

• Imaging

Scans text and graphics from paper documents and converts them into digital images.

General-purpose software is mass-produced for a broad range of common business applications such as word-processing graphics, payroll, and accounting. Some popular general-purpose software programs are discussed below.

Word processing is a computerized way to perform a task that has existed for centuries: text creation and management. It is used by many organizations all over the world to save time and money and facilitate communication. Word processing programs allow for easy correction of errors and text manipulation. Microsoft Word and WordPerfect are two very popular word processing packages.

Desktop publishing (DTP) has many of the features found in word processing packages and is used to produce office documents such as memos, price sheets, technical manuals, invoices, and newsletters. Desktop publishing packages have more sophisticated graphical feature than do word processing packages. They have excellent text manipulation capabilities and color presentation graphics; these features can be used to produce high-quality documents. Desktop publishing provides WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), which allows the user to see on the screen what the document will look like when it is printed.

Another type of general-purpose software is spreadsheets, which are used for tasks that require number crunching, such as financial analysis, budget preparation, and grade calculation. Spreadsheets can sort and analyze data, create charts, graphs, and figures, and perform "what-if" analysis to assess the impacts of changes to input variables.

The first electronic spreadsheet was VisiCalc, introduced in 1978 for Apple II computers. Since then, the spreadsheet has become an essential tool for professionals. In the early 1980s, Lotus introduced its versatile, easy-to-use Lotus 1-2-3 for the IBM PC. Today, there are other powerful spreadsheet packages on the market, such as Microsoft's Excel. Although many word processing and spreadsheet packages are capable of producing graphics, sometimes users need sophisticated tools to draw complex figures and graphs.

Computer graphics is the graphical display of computerized information: there are many sophisticated graphics packages. For example, CorelDraw, a popular graphics program, offers many advantages over the more basic graphics packages included in word processing applications. CorelDraw offers extensive text-handling and precision-drawing features; powerful paint and photo retouching applications featuring numerous image-enhancing filters, and even animation programs that let you create both simple and complex animations.

Accounting software is another type of general-purpose software, which helps companies automate their accounting functions. The main modules of an accounting system are General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Fixed Assets. These can be interfaced with other financial products, such as payroll, budgeting, and inventory management software, to produce an integrated accounting package. For example, Globex is an electronic futures trading network that uses accounting software to link brokers in New York, Chicago, and Paris with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Borad of Trade. Traders use this program to electronically buy and sell financial products and to receive timely and accurate financial information on various transactions. Accounting software packages are flexible; they can be used for other applications. Budget Rent-A-Car uses an accounting software package to keep track of losses resulting from damaged or wrecked vehicles.

Imaging software uses scanners to scan paper-based documents, then converts the data into digital images. Imaging software is increasing in popularity because of its many benefits. These include reduction of floor space when fewer paper documents are stored, decreases in copying costs, and fewer problems with lost or misplaced data. In fact, imaging software is becoming so popular that business analysts forecast that by 1996 imaging will-be a $12-billion to $15-billion market in the U.S. alone; the worldwide figures are expected to be much higher.

Application-Dedicated Software: The second type of application software is application-dedicated software, which includes specialized or customized applications designed for very specific purposes. For example, software designed to cater the delivery of goods and services to a customer's doorstep is highly specialized. Such a program cannot easily be modified and adapted for other applications, because it is designed to perform a specific task.