TOPIC 6

APPLICATION
SOFTWARE

Adapted from slides provided by the authors of the textbook “Computing Essentials 2017” by
Timothy O'Leary and Linda O'Leary and Daniel O'Leary
Learning Outcomes
Identify general-purpose applications

Describe word processors, spreadsheets, presentation programs, and database management systems.

Identify specialized applications.

Describe graphics programs, web authoring programs, and other specialized professional applications.

Describe mobile apps and app stores.

Identify software suites.

Describe office suites, cloud suites, specialized suites, and utility suites.
Outlines
Introduction Mobile Apps
Application Software Apps
App Stores
User Interface
Software Suites
Common Features
Office Suites
Categories of Application Software Cloud Computing
General-Purpose Applications Specialized Suites
Utility Suites
Word Processors
Spreadsheets Careers in IT
Presentation Graphics
Database Management Systems
Making ITwork for you:
Google Docs
Specialized Applications
Graphics
Video Game Design Software
Web Authoring Programs
Artificial Intelligence
Virtual Reality
Other Specialized Applications
Introduction
• Not long ago, trained specialists were
required to perform many of the
operations you can now do with a
personal computer.
• Competent end users need to understand
the capabilities of basic application
software including:
• Word processors
• Spreadsheets
• Presentation programs
• Database management systems
Application Software
• End user software
Definition • Accomplish a variety of tasks

• General Purpose Applications

Three (3) • Specialized Applications
categories • Mobile Apps
 User Interface
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
consists of:
• Icons
• Pointer
• Windows
• Menus
• Toolbars
• Buttons
• Dialog Boxes

GUI – displays graphical elements called icons to represent familiar objects.

Common Features in Microsoft
• Ribbon GUI
• Ribbons
• Tabs
• Groups
• Contextual tabs
• Galleries
• Spell checkers
• Alignment
• Font and Font Sizes
• Tables
• Reports
 CATEGORIES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE

1. General Purpose Applications

General purpose applications include:
1. Word processor programs
2. Spreadsheet programs
3. Presentation graphics programs
4. Database management systems (DBMS)
5. Browser
Categories of Application Software> General Purpose Applications>

1. Word Processor Programs

Create text-based documents
• Memos, letters, and faxes
• Newsletters, manuals, and brochures
Example of Word processing programs:
• Microsoft Word
• Most popular
• Apple Pages
• Google Docs
• Corel WordPerfect
• OpenOffice Writer
General Purpose Applications>Word Processor Programs

Creating a Flyer
Flyer Features
• Spell Checker
• Center-alignment
• Grammar Checker
• Fonts
• Font Sizes
• Word Wrap
• Character Effects
General Purpose Applications>Word Processor Programs

Creating a Report
Report Features
• AutoCorrect
• Footnote
• Header or Footer
• Captions and Cross References
• Tables
Categories of Application Software> General Purpose Applications>

2. Spreadsheet Programs
Organize, analyze, and graph numeric data
Example of Spreadsheet programs:
• Microsoft Excel
• Most widely used
• Apple Numbers
• OpenOffice Calc
• Corel Quattro Pro
• Google Sheets
General Purpose Applications>Spreadsheet Programs

Creating a Sales Forecast

Features
• Worksheets
• Text entries
• Functions
• Cells
• Formulas
General Purpose Applications>Spreadsheet Programs

Analyzing Your Data

Analysis Features
• Workbook and
worksheets
• What-if Analysis
Categories of Application Software> General Purpose Applications>

3. Presentation Graphics Programs

Combine a variety of visual objects to create
visually interesting presentations
Presentation programs
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• OpenOffice Impress
• Apple Keynote
• Google Slides
• Corel Presentations
General Purpose Applications>Presentation graphics programs

Creating a Presentation
Presentation Features
• Document Theme
• Animation
• Templates
Categories of Application Software> General Purpose Applications>

4. Database Management Systems (DBMS)

A collection of related data

Electronic equivalent of a file cabinet
Two most widely used systems
• Microsoft Access
• OpenOffice Base
• Apple FileMaker
• Google Obvibase
General Purpose Applications> Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Creating a Database
First steps is to plan
Database Features
• Primary Key
• Fields
• Record
• Table
• Form
Categories of Application Software> General Purpose Applications>

5. Browser
A special internet software connecting you to remote
computers;
opens and transfers files
Displays text and images
Provides an uncomplicated interface to the Internet and
web documents
Examples of browsers:
Internet Mozilla Google
Explorer Firefox Chrome
CATEGORIES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE

2. Specialized Applications
Programs that more narrowly focused on
specific disciplines and occupations
Includes:
1. Graphics Programs
2. Video Game Design Software
3. Web Authoring Programs
4. Artificial Intelligence
5. Virtual Reality
6. Other Specialized Applications
Categories of Application Software> Specialized Applications>

1. Graphics Programs
Widely used in graphic arts
Types of graphics programs are:
• Desktop Publishing Programs
• Image Editing Programs
• Illustration Programs
• Image Galleries
Specialized Applications>Graphics Programs>

Desktop Publishing Programs

Also known as Page Layout Programs
Mix text and graphics to create brochures,
newsletters, newspapers and textbooks
Popular programs:
• Adobe InDesign
• Microsoft Publisher
• QuarkXPress
Specialized Applications>Graphics Programs>

Image Editors
Also know as Photo Editors
Editing or modifying digital
photographs
Photographs consist of thousands of
pixels that form images knows as
bitmaps
Popular image editors
• Adobe Photoshop
• Corel PaintShop Pro
• GIMP (GNU Manipulation Program)
• Windows Live Photo Gallery
Specialized Applications>Graphics Programs

Illustration Programs
Drawing programs
Create and edit vector images
• Vector illustrations
Geometric shapes or objects
Created by connecting lines and curves
Defined by mathematical equations
Popular Illustration Programs
• Adobe Illustrator
• CorelDraw
• Inkscape
Specialized Applications>Graphics Programs>

Video Editors
Edit videos to enhance quality and
appearance
• Can now use your smartphone to edit
videos
Well-known programs
• Windows Live Movie Maker
• Apple iMovie
• YouTube Video Editor
Categories of Application Software> Specialized Applications>

Video Game Design Software

Video Game Design Software helps:
• Organize thoughts
• Guide user through game design
process
 Character development
 Environmental design
• Free / inexpensive video game
design software
 YoYo GameMaker
 Stencyl
 Unity
Categories of Application Software> Specialized Applications>

Web Authoring Programs

Web authoring is the creation of a site
• Design
• Document file displaying website’s content
Blog
• Online diary/commentaries
Web Authoring Programs
• Typically used to create commercial sites
• Web page editors or HTML editors
• WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
Most widely used programs
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Microsoft Expression Web
Categories of Application Software> Specialized Applications>

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A field of computer science that attempts to develop computer
systems that can mimic or simulate human thought processes
and actions.
In the future, robots with sophisticated artificial intelligence will
handle everyday chores and you will program these robots using
conversational English instruction.
Categories of Application Software> Specialized Applications>

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality (VR) is an artificial, or simulated reality created in 3D
by computers.
It strives to create a virtual or immersive experience by using
specialized hardware that includes headgear and gloves
Interactive sensory equipment (headgear and gloves) allowing users
to experience alternative realities generated in 3D by a computer,
thus imitating the physical world.
Categories of Application Software> Specialized Applications>

Other Specialized Applications

Accounting Personal Finance Project Management
[example: Intuit [Example: Quicken Applications
QuickBooks] Starter Edition] [Example: Microsoft
Project]
CATEGORIES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE>

3. Mobile Apps
Mobile Applications or Mobile Apps
• Add-on programs for a variety of mobile
devices
• Smartphones or tablets
Apps
• Breadth and scope are ever-expanding
• 500,000 just for iPhone
CATEGORIES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE

3. Mobile Apps
Most widely used apps:
Music –
• free streaming music Pandora offers with ads and playlists that can customize in a
limited way
• Spotify requires a monthly fee but offers direct control of what music you listen to
and no ads.
Video The YouTube apps [free online videos], Netflix [fee]
Social networking  Facebook, Instagram
Shopping  Lazada, Carousell
Games  Temple Run, Clash of Clans
E-book Reader  Kindle, Scribd
Others  Note taking software, News and Magazine
 Mobile Apps

App Stores
App Stores
Provides access to mobile
apps for downloads
• Apple’s App Store
 Apple Devices
 www.apple.com/itunes/charts
• Google Play
 Android Devices
 play.google.com/store/apps
• Appszoom
 Android and Apple Devices
 www.appszoom.com
Integrated Packages Vs. Suite Packages
Integrated Packages Suite Packages
a single program that provides a collection of individual
the functionality of several application packages sold
application packages. together.
Integrated Packages are not Examples: Microsoft Office,
very common any more due to OpenOffice.org
cheaper and readily available
Office Suites.
Discontinued-Microsoft Works,
AppleWorks
Integrated Packages
Some important characteristics include:
Functions typically include word processing, spreadsheet, database
manager, and more.
Each function not as extensive or powerful as a single function
application program.
Less expensive than purchasing several individual application
programs.
Simple to use and switch between functions.
Popular with home users who are willing to sacrifice some advanced
features for cost and simplicity.
Software Suites
Collection of separate
application programs
• Bundled together –
sold as group
 FOUR (4) types of suites

1.2. Cloud suites/online office

suites

suites

3. Specialized suites

4. Utility suites
1.1. Office suites/office software suite / productivity

• Contain • Stored on • Focus on • Designed to

professional- servers and specific make
grade available applications computing
application through the Corel Draw easier and
programs. Internet. Graphics safer
Microsoft Google Docs Suite X6 Norton
Office Zoho Moneyfree Systems
Apple iWork Microsoft Software Works
OpenOffice Office 365 TOTAL Norton
Planning Internet
Suite Security suite
Sharing data between Application
Sharing data between files created with different applications is often
convenient. How?
1. Copy and Paste  Static 2. Object linking and embedding (OLE)  Dynamic
The item to be shared is simply copied from its file Object linking and embedding (OLE) is a
and then pasted into the other file. feature to dynamically share and exchange data
between files.
This creates a static copy since changes to one file • With object linking a copy of an object from
will not affect the other file. a source file is inserted into a destination
file and a link between the two files is made.
If a change occurs in the source file, the destination
file will be updated.
• With object embedding, the object is
embedded into the destination file and the
embedded object can be run from that file.
However, changes to the source file will not
affect the destination file.
Making IT Work for You - Google Docs
• Tool to create and collaborate with others
• Creating /sharing documents
• Free and easy to use
• Free Google account
• Free online storage
A Look to the Future
Next-Generation User Interfaces
• Doubtful a single interface will
serve everyone
• Must be comfortable to use
• Touch / interactive screen
• Voice recognition
• Gestures
• Augmented Reality
Open-Ended Questions (Page 1 of 2)
1. Explain the difference between general-purpose and specialized
applications. Also discuss the common features of application
programs, including those with traditional and ribbon graphical user
interfaces.

2. Discuss general-purpose applications including word processors,

spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation
graphics.
Open-Ended Questions (Page 2 of 2)
3. Discuss specialized applications, including graphics programs, video game
design software, web authoring programs, and other professional specialized
applications

4. Describe mobile apps, including popular apps and app stores.

5. Describe software suites, including office suites, cloud suites, specialized suites,
and utility suites.
Slides adapted from:
References:
Computing Essentials 2017
26th Edition
By: Timothy O'Leary and Linda O'Leary and Daniel O'Leary
Copyright: 2017
TOPIC 6
Complete
APPLICATION
SOFTWARE

Adapted from slides provided by the authors of the textbook “Computing Essentials 2017” by
Timothy O'Leary and Linda O'Leary and Daniel O'Leary