What is Application Software?
Application software (or simply "apps") consists of programs that perform specific tasks for the user. Unlike system software, which manages the computer itself, application software helps you do something useful — write an essay, browse the internet, edit a photo, or play a game.
Application software runs on top of the operating system, using it to access the hardware.
Types of Application Software
There are many categories of application software:
| Category | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Word processors | Microsoft Word, Google Docs | Write and format text documents |
| Spreadsheets | Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets | Work with numbers and data |
| Web browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Safari | Access the internet |
| Media players | VLC, Spotify, YouTube | Play audio and video |
| Games | Minecraft, Roblox, FIFA | Entertainment |
| Email clients | Outlook, Gmail | Send and receive email |
| Photo editors | Photoshop, GIMP | Edit and create images |
| IDEs | VS Code, PyCharm | Write and test code |
The apps on your phone or tablet are also application software. The operating system (Android or iOS) manages the phone's hardware, and each app does a specific job on top of it.
General-Purpose vs Specific-Purpose Software
General-purpose software can be used for a wide variety of tasks. A word processor, spreadsheet, or web browser fits many different needs.
Specific-purpose software is designed for one particular task. A school registration system, a hospital patient record database, or a point-of-sale system in a shop are examples.
Open Source vs Proprietary Software
- Proprietary software is owned by a company. The source code is kept private, and you usually pay for a licence (e.g. Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop).
- Open source software makes its source code publicly available. Anyone can view, modify, and distribute it (e.g. LibreOffice, GIMP, Firefox).
Many high-quality applications are free and open source. LibreOffice is a free alternative to Microsoft Office; GIMP is a free alternative to Photoshop. These are great for students!
How Application Software Uses the OS
Application software does not talk directly to hardware — it makes requests to the OS instead. For example, when a word processor saves a file, it asks the OS to write data to the storage device. The OS handles the details. This separation means the same application can run on different hardware, as long as the OS supports it.
Practice Problems
Give one example each of general-purpose and specific-purpose application software, and explain the difference between them.
Show answer
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using open source software compared to proprietary software.