As the world is becoming increasingly tech-savvy, our reliance on various software sees a meteoric rise as well. Our transition from being a predominantly manual workforce to a digital one has brought with itself a horde of changes. Primary among these changes was the development of several multi-utility and multifaceted software that we see in ubiquitous use. In this light, it becomes absolutely imperative for all job aspirants in the current scenario to acquaint themselves with software. The current workforce stands to classify them as invalid should they happen to appear incompetent in the software domain. A good place to start learning about software is by broadening your horizon on various system and application software examples. Job trainers and recruiters continue to place a growing emphasis on the relevance of software expertise in the current market.
Before delving deep into the classifications of software, a fundamental question needs addressing. What is software? The internet is rife with structure and comprehensive answers to this particular question. But for the scope of the current article, we shall confine ourselves to a crisp and lucid précis of sorts. Simply put, the software is a set of instructions or an algorithm that your system or computer executes. These sets of instructions and intertwined algorithms are collectively referred to as a computer program. The complexity and utility of each software is defined by the composition and the documentation of its underlying program. With escalating market needs, the fields of competitive programming and software development have gathered momentum in the past few years. Primary among these software have been the functions of application software in the industry.
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Application Software
Before attempting to familiarize ourselves with various application software examples, we must first acquaint ourselves with what is application software. Now, a lot of confusion and an equal lack of clarity plague this particular technical learning domain. A lot of this is attributed to the intimidation that the usage of technical jargon triggers in new learners. Hence for the purpose of this particular reading, the definition of application software shall assume a most simplistic form. Application software is, broadly speaking, identified and classified as tools that are in place for the benefit of the end-user. By virtue of their definition, this software can either be one single program or a bunch of smaller interdependent ones.
The nature of the occurrence of these softwares can be twofold. The first instance is where they are present as default system attachments at the time of system design itself. The second takes place when these softwares are developed or coded independently as open-source projects for customized user experience. Because the primary scope of application software is to facilitate and enhance the user experience, their functionality varies accordingly. They can concern themselves with either maneuvering texts, numbers, and graphics independently or as a collective manipulation of said entities. Accordingly, the features of application software are classified as single task packages or integrated software packages. The classification of these softwares is multifold and governs the various uses of application software. They are carried out on the basis of coding language, property and use rights, output parameters, and the kind.
Application Software vs. System Software
A thorough understanding of the distinction between application and system software is crucial to our comprehension of software domain itself. The primary contrast between application and system software lies in their area of implementation. Having already discussed the definition of application software we need to wrap our head around the concept of system software. This will help us in gaining clarity in out grasping of the difference between the two. The system software is basically a bundle of instructions that manifests itself directly upon the computer’s hardware. When the operating system is installed in any particular system, the system softwares are also installed in concomitance with it. Typically, an end-user doesn’t carry out any kind of interaction with the system software directly. The software just runs in the background with the passive acquiescence of the user.
Application software in the system owes its functionality to the system software it is working with. This is largely because it provides the fundamental platform on which any subsequent application softwares are run on the system. Contrary to system softwares, application softwares solely concern themselves with the interaction with end-user. Another important difference lays in the discretion that each of the software proffers to the user. During the installation of application software the user generally gets a choice regarding that particular software. Contrary to this, the user doesn’t get any choice regarding the installation of the system software. It is introduced to the system at the time of installing the operating system. Subsequently, it comes across to the user as a default setting in itself.
List of application software examples
Knowledge of various application software examples helps a user in enhancing their user experience. Additionally, your acquaintance with various application softwares makes you that much more efficient in customizing them. The following section aims to shed light on various useful application software examples:
MS Word
MS Word undoubtedly ranks itself among the most prime application software examples of all time. Launched in 1983, MS Word is an all-encompassing and multifaceted word-processing software. MS Word can be easily installed and accessed on either of a laptop, cell phone, or a personal computer. In this capacity, this application software promises amazing flexibility in its cross-platform compatibility. MS Word is the backbone of most industries across the globe irrespective of the domains that they belong to. Ranging from college and undergrad students to working professionals none can imagine a single day without using MS Word. The versatile package that MS Word entails finds utility in a diverse range of utilities. Primarily these functionalities extend to creating documents, brochures, pamphlets, quiz booklets and newsletters.
Additionally, MS Word finds wide usage in a resume and cover letter creation as well. The expansive formatting and customization suites that it offers come in handy in stitching really presentable documentation. The in-built spell checker and grammar detector helps you in keeping your typed work largely error-free. Apart from pointing out the grammatical and lexical inconsistencies, MS Word’s automated autocorrect feature really enhances the end-user experience as well. Even though MS Word stores its files with a .doc extension, it isn’t definitely rigid that particular capacity. The application software also has an option that allows users to convert said documents to the widely used PDF format. Subsequently, it allows the users to edit, transcribe and custom modify these PDF documents.
MS Access
MS Access is the primary database management software that experiences extensive global consumption in today’s scenario. As a premium database management software, it arguably carves its place among the best application software examples. The functionality of MS Access extends across to a wide range of services that are mostly employed in the professional domain. Its easily navigable and user-friendly interface makes it the tool of choice for major professional units across the working sector. Companies make extensive use of MS Access’ data management services to keep their employee and business specifics organized. Additionally, MS Access allows users to maintain and govern corporate hierarchy through its table and relation parameters. At the time of employee allocation and subsequent mapping, this feature proves itself to be highly vital.
This application software also doubles up as a sublime information management tool. Its hassle-free storage facilitates further actions of analysis, reference, and reporting as and when required by the firm and administrators. MS Access as an application software provides you with a reliable front to store large volumes of data in it. However, its functionality doesn’t remain confined to just that. It also lets the user carry out a substantial analysis of the voluminous data that is stored. Business Analysts across the globe make wide use of MS Access to monitor and generate relevant business statistics. The analysis feature helps firms keep track of the previous trends and performances of the employees on their payroll. Subsequently, this helps them in minimizing company losses and rolling out highly accurate efficiency improvement measures.
MS Excel
MS Excel is a potent spreadsheet software program that is part of Microsoft’s extensive suite of application softwares. With its wide range of utilities, MS Excel makes for one of the finest application software examples of all time. Among all other MS Office applications, MS Excel distinguishes itself on the basis of its augmented intelligence design. This enhanced feature enables it to effectively and accurately organize your data for you. Additionally, it is also able to infer and deduce insightful patterns of information from your input dataset. It gives you the liberty to develop and compose your own forms and carry out calculations as per your convenience. Goes without saying its cross-platform compatibility lets you share your files along with its inferences and calculations with others. This subsequently helps both solo freelancers and collaborated corporate teams make the most of this powerful tool.
Businesses that have an active need for monitoring their fund influx and revenue generation make active use of this software. For this particular feature, MS Excel is an indispensable tool for business development managers and sales head in every organization. With the help of this application software, they are able to expediently monitor the non-performance of their subordinates. Subsequently, the intelligence design along with the analysis feature assists them in chalking out calculated measures for the future course. Budget management, Expenditure governance, and presentation of quarterly financial results become massively convenient with the help of MS Access. The ability of this application software to visualize results in the form of infographics makes it a highly formidable tool. In this capacity, MS Excess serves as a rather reliable visual basic for other related tools. In the fields of finance and accounting, MS Excel as an application software holds perpetual utility.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is Microsoft Office Suite’s very own custom content documentation and presentation tool. It is among the most visuals-oriented application software examples in this list. All the other packages within the Microsoft Office suite make use of visuals and infographics as an end product. Microsoft PowerPoint is the only tool in the all-encompassing Office package that makes active use of visual tools to compose. Not only it is an incredible tool for presentations but it also is a usual device for gauging your graphic aesthetics. PowerPoint presentations are extensively used in corporate atmospheres for facilitating idea pitching, brainstorming, and product or service feedback sessions. Additionally, it can also import content and materials from other application softwares in the package which makes for informative presentations.
Nowadays Microsoft PowerPoint finds greater relevance in the field of education across all grades. Ranging from primary school to undergrad and postgrad programs, institutions make active use of PowerPoint presentations in their curriculum. Educational slides and topical modules are imparted to the students and the graduates for their ready reference. Subsequently, this mode of visual learning enables the candidates to strengthen their logical and analytical reasoning skills. In concomitance with their spatial learning components, all of these factors work collectively towards making them, astute problem solvers. Besides benefiting the students, it is of great cooperation to the teachers as well. The traditional classroom model entails the professors to engage in a manner of oral discourse predominantly. Now with the help of visual tools as facilitated by PowerPoint presentations, a culture of immersive learning is effectively fostered.
Final thoughts
Understanding the nuances of application software examples helps us in becoming valuable assets to the current workforce in the job market. In a scenario where skillsets have come to precede qualifications, the dynamic of modern recruitment stands incredibly revolutionized. Taking this into consideration, it becomes imperative of us to keep abreast of market developments and tailor our portfolios accordingly. A thorough understanding of various application software examples is the first step towards accomplishing this rather significant feat. Subsequently carrying out relevant practice in the aforementioned software gives the initiated considerable and definite leverage over the unaware.