11/6/25, 9:28 AM Application software - Wikipedia
Application software
Application software is software that is intended for
end-user use – not operating, administering or
programming a computer. An application (app,
application program, software application) is any
program that can be categorized as application
software.[1][2] Application is a subjective classification that
is often used to differentiate from system and utility
software.[3]
The abbreviation app became popular with the 2008
introduction of the iOS App Store, to refer to applications
for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Later,
with the release of the Mac App Store in 2010 and the
Windows Store in 2011, it began to be used to refer to end-
user software in general, regardless of platform.[4]
Applications may be bundled with the computer and its
system software or published separately. Applications may
be proprietary or open-source.[5]
A calculator application on Windows 10
Terminology
Meaning program and software
When used as an adjective, application can have a broader meaning than that described in this
article.[6] For example, concepts such as application programming interface (API), application
server, application virtualization, application lifecycle management and portable application refer
to programs and software in general.
Distinction between system and application software
The distinction between system and application software is subjective and has been the subject of
controversy.[6] For example, one of the key questions in the United States v. Microsoft Corp.
antitrust trial was whether Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser was part of its Windows
operating system or a separate piece of application software. As another example, the GNU/Linux
naming controversy is, in part, due to disagreement about the relationship between the Linux
kernel and the operating systems built over this kernel. In some types of embedded systems, the
application software and the operating system software may be indistinguishable by the user, as in
the case of software used to control a VCR, DVD player, or microwave oven. The above definitions
may exclude some applications that may exist on some computers in large organizations. For an
alternative definition of an app: see Application Portfolio Management.
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Killer application
A killer application (killer app, coined in the late 1980s) is an application that is so popular that it
causes demand for its host platform to increase.[7][8] For example, VisiCalc was the first modern
spreadsheet software for the Apple II and helped sell the then-new personal computers into offices.
For the BlackBerry, it was its email software.
Software suite
As software suite consists of multiple applications bundled together. They usually have related
functions, features, and user interfaces, and may be able to interact with each other, e.g. open each
other's files. Business applications often come in suites, e.g. Microsoft Office, LibreOffice and
iWork, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, etc.; but suites exist for other
purposes, e.g. graphics or music.
Ways to classify
As there so many applications and since their attributes vary so dramatically, there are many
different ways to classify them.
By legal aspects
Proprietary software is protected under an exclusive copyright, and a software license grants
limited usage rights. Such applications may allow add-ons from third parties.
Free and open-source software (FOSS) can be run, distributed, sold, and extended for any purpose.
FOSS software released under a free license may be perpetual and also royalty-free. Perhaps, the
owner, the holder or third-party enforcer of any right (copyright, trademark, patent, or ius in re
aliena) are entitled to add exceptions, limitations, time decays or expiring dates to the license
terms of use.
Public-domain software is a type of FOSS that is royalty-free and can be run, distributed, modified,
reversed, republished, or created in derivative works without any copyright attribution and
therefore revocation. It can even be sold, but without transferring the public domain property to
other single subjects. Public-domain software can be released under a (un)licensing legal
statement, which enforces those terms and conditions for an indefinite duration (for a lifetime, or
forever).
By platform
An application can be categorized by the host platform on which it runs. Notable platforms include
operating system (native), web browser, cloud computing and mobile. For example a web
application runs in a web browser whereas a more traditional, native application runs in the
environment of a computer's operating system.[9]
There has been a contentious debate regarding web applications replacing native applications for
many purposes, especially on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Web apps have
indeed greatly increased in popularity for some uses, but the advantages of applications make them
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unlikely to disappear soon, if ever. Furthermore, the two can be complementary, and even
integrated.[10][11][12]
Horizontal vs. vertical
Application software can be seen as either horizontal or vertical.[13][14] Horizontal applications are
more popular and widespread, because they are general purpose, for example word processors or
databases. Vertical applications are niche products, designed for a particular type of industry or
business, or department within an organization. Integrated suites of software will try to handle
every specific aspect possible of, for example, manufacturing or banking worker, accounting, or
customer service.
By purpose
There are many types of application software:[15]
Enterprise
Addresses the needs of an entire organization's processes and data flows, across several
departments, often in a large distributed environment. Examples include enterprise resource
planning systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, data replication
engines, and supply chain management software. Departmental Software is a sub-type of
enterprise software with a focus on smaller organizations or groups within a large
organization. (Examples include travel expense management and IT Helpdesk.)
Enterprise infrastructure
Provides common capabilities needed to support enterprise software systems. (Examples
include databases, email servers, and systems for managing networks and security.)
Application platform as a service (aPaaS)
A cloud computing service that offers development and deployment environments for
application services.
Knowledge worker
Lets users create and manage information, often for individual projects within a department,
in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource
management, analytical, collaborative and documentation tools. Word processors,
spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal information systems, and individual media
editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks.
Content access
Used primarily to access content without editing, but may include software that allows for
content editing. Such software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to consume
digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include media players, web
browsers, and help browsers.)
Educational
Related to content access software, but has the content or features adapted for use by
educators or students. For example, it may deliver evaluations (tests), track progress through
material, or include collaborative capabilities.
Simulation
Simulates physical or abstract systems for either research, training, or entertainment
purposes.
Media development
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Generates print and electronic media for others to consume, most often in a commercial or
educational setting. This includes graphic-art software, desktop publishing software,
multimedia development software, HTML editors, digital-animation editors, digital audio and
video composition, and many others.[16]
Engineering
Used in developing hardware and software products. This includes computer-aided design
(CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer language editing and compiling tools,
integrated development environments, and application programmer interfaces.
Entertainment
Refers to video games, screen savers, programs to display motion pictures or play recorded
music, and other forms of entertainment which can be experienced through the use of a
computing device.
Taxonomy
This section is a taxonomy of application types with each section a grouping of application
purpose.
Information worker
Accounting software
Data management
Contact manager
Spreadsheet
Database software
Documentation
Document automation
Word processor
Desktop publishing software
Diagramming software
Presentation software
Email
Blog software
Enterprise resource planning
Financial software
Banking software
Clearing systems
Financial accounting software
Financial software
Field service management
Workforce management software
Project management software
Calendaring software
Employee scheduling software
Workflow software
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Reservation systems
Entertainment
Screen savers
Video games
Arcade video games
Console games
Mobile games
Personal computer games
Software art
Demo
64K intro
Educational
Classroom management
Reference software
Sales readiness software
Survey management
Encyclopedia software
Enterprise infrastructure
Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps)
Business workflow software
Database management system (DBMS)
Digital asset management (DAM) software
Document management software
Geographic information system (GIS)
Simulation
Computer simulators
Scientific simulators
Social simulators
Battlefield simulators
Emergency simulators
Vehicle simulators
Flight simulators
Driving simulators
Simulation games
Vehicle simulation games
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Media development
3D computer graphics software
Animation software
Graphic art software
Raster graphics editor
Vector graphics editor
Image organizer
Video editing software
Audio editing software
Digital audio workstation
Music sequencer
Scorewriter
HTML editor
Game development tool
Hardware engineering
Computer-aided engineering
Computer-aided design (CAD)
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
Finite element analysis
Software development
Much of the software used to develop software is classified as utility instead of application
software, but classification of types of programs is subjective.
Integrated development environment
Game development tool
License manager
Version control
See also
Mobile app – Software application designed to run on mobile devices
Server (computing) – Computer providing a central resource or service
Software development – Creation and maintenance of software
Super-app – Mobile application that provides multiple services including financial transactions
Web application – Application that uses a web browser as a client
References
1. "application software" ([Link] Oxford English Dictionary
(Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership (https://
[Link]/public/login/loggingin#withyourlibrary) required.)
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2. R. Shirey (August 2007). Internet Security Glossary, Version 2 ([Link]
4949). Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC4949 ([Link]
9). RFC 4949 ([Link] Informational.
3. "Application software" ([Link]
PC Magazine. Ziff Davis.
4. Thom Holwerda (24 June 2011). "The History of 'App' and the Demise of the Programmer" (htt
ps://[Link]/story/24882/the-history-of-app-and-the-demise-of-the-programmer/).
[Link]. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
5. Ryan, Thorne (2013-03-14). "Caffeine and computer screens: student programmers endure
weekend long appathon" ([Link]
m/2013/03/14/caffeine-and-computer-screens-student-programmers-endure-weekend-long-ap
pathon/). The Arbiter. Archived from the original ([Link]
and-computer-screens-student-programmers-endure-weekend-long-appathon/) on 2016-07-09.
Retrieved 2015-10-12.
6. Ulrich, William (August 31, 2006). "Application Package Software: The Promise Vs. Reality" (ht
tps://[Link]/article/application-package-software-promise-vs-reality-393871). Cutter
Consortium. Cutter Benchmark Review. Archived ([Link]
3/[Link] from
the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
7. Dvorak, John (1989-07-01). "Looking to OS/2 for the next killer app is barking up the wrong
tree. Here's where they really come from" ([Link]
C&pg=PP75). PC Magazine. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
8. "killer app" ([Link] [Link]. Retrieved
2023-03-26. "Origin of killer app 1985–1990"
9. "Definition of desktop application" ([Link]
ion). PCMAG. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
10. Gassée, Jean-Louis (2012-09-17). "The Silly Web vs. Native Apps Debate" ([Link]
[Link]/web/20160415200141/[Link]
e/). Archived from the original ([Link]
e/) on 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
11. Frechette, Casey (2013-04-11). "What journalists need to know about the difference between
Web apps and native apps" ([Link]
ifference-between-web-apps-and-native-apps). Poynter. Retrieved 2017-01-04.
12. Valums, Andrew (2010-02-10). "Web apps vs desktop apps" ([Link]
0402210926/[Link] [Link]. Archived from the original ([Link]
[Link]/web-apps/) on 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
13. "What Is a Horizontal Application?" ([Link]
htm).
14. "What Are Horizontal Services?" ([Link]
[Link]/index2/html/java/[Link]
ok-LiB/[Link]). Archived from the original ([Link]
va/[Link]-LiB/[Link])
on 2013-10-31.
15. "What is Application Software & Its Types | eduCBA" ([Link]
on-software-its-types/). eduCBA. 2015-12-21. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
16. Campbell-Kelly, Martin; Aspray, William (1996). Computer: A History of the Information
Machine. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-02990-6.
External links
Learning materials related to Application software at Wikiversity
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