Chapter 5

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Chapter 5Application Software


Presentation Overview

• Types of Application Software

• Productivity Software

• Software for Household Use

• Graphics and Multimedia Software

• Communications Software


Types of Application Software

Types of application software for business users:


Types of Application Software

What is application software?– Packaged software – programs sold to the public

on a retail basis– Customized software – created by programmers

to meet a company’s specific requirements– Other application models

• Shareware – available for a small “contribution” fee

• Freeware – provided free of charge

• Open Source Software – code is owned by a developer, but the public can experiment with it


Productivity SoftwareExamples of productivity software


Productivity Software

Word processing software allows users to– create (enter) text– edit text– format the document– save and print the file



Desktop publishing (DTP) softwareallows users to createimpressive documents with text, drawings, photographs, and graphic elements in full color.



Electronic spreadsheetsallows users to organize, calculate, and present financial, statistical, and other numerical information.



What are the features of spreadsheets?

– Grids – form columns and rows in a matrix – Number formatting – formats numbers in

a variety of ways– Formulas – process data derived from other cells– Macros – automate complex or repetitive actions

by a set of commands– Charting – makes data easier to read and understand



Database Management

– Database – collection of data organized in one or more tables consisting of individual pieces of information

– Field – collection of related tables

– Record – collection of related fields


Productivity SoftwareDatabase management system (DBMS)allows users to create and manage a computer database and to produce reports from stored data.


Productivity SoftwareRelational databaseallows tables to be linked and allows data to be retrieved from more than one table.



What are the usual features of a database management system?– Sort – arranges records in many different ways– Find – locates information in a table– Query – uses more advanced features for searching the database– Links – joins tables in meaningful ways that make

sense for a particular business



Presentation graphics software allows users to create computerized slide shows.



What are software suites?– integrated software programs designed to work

well together– information can be copied and pasted, or– object linking and embedding (OLE) can link

information and change or update it automatically among the programs



Project management software is widely used to plan construction projects and to track schedules and budgets.


Software for Household Use

– Personal finance software assists users with paying bills, balancing checkbooks, keeping track of income and expenses, maintaining investment records, and other financial activity.

– Tax preparation software aids in analyzing federal and state tax status, as well as prepares and transmits tax returns.


Software for Household Use

– Legal software helps analyze, plan, and prepare legal documents.

– Entertainment software is interactive games, videos, and music that provide fun.

– Educational and reference software include encyclopedias, dictionaries, and tutorials.


Graphics and Multimedia Software

Painting and Drawing Software– Painting programs create, edit, and color images

in bit-map form (one bit at a time).– Drawing programs use lines, curves, and other

features to draw images; enable users to create images that can be modified.

– Image editing programs allow users to touch up, modify, and enhance image quality.


Graphics and Multimedia Software– Computer-aided design (CAD) software provide

tools that enable users to create architectural, engineering, product, and scientific designs.

– Video and audio editing software allow users to create and modify recorded video and audio clips.

– Web authoring software help users develop Web pages without learning Web programming.


Communications Software

Electronic mail sends and receives messages over a worldwide system of communication networks.



Web browsers allow users to move from one location to another on the Web and to access and retrieve Web pages.

Search engines search, locate, and retrieve information from various Web sites.



Instant messaging software enables people to communicate with other users over the Internet in real time.



Groupware allows people to share information and collaborate on projects.

Webconferencing softwareallows online meeting between two or more participants at different locations using computer networks.


On the Horizon

Based on the information presented in this chapter and your own experience, what do you think is on the horizon?

Chapter 5

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