Application Software

Application software is a set of one or programs designed to carry out operations for a specified application. For example, a payroll package produces pay slips as the major output.

• General Purpose
• Special Purpose

Types of Application Software

1. Word-processing

Word processing refers to typing, editing, formatting, storage and printing of any kind of document. Word processing or manipulation of Word allows user to create, view, edit, store, retrieve and print texts and images. All these tasks are performed by a Word processing package.

Word processors are also used in printing press, as a publishing system.

Examples of Word Processing Software are Word-star, Ms-Word.

Some word processing S/W :

• Micro Soft Office -Word
• Open Office –Writer
• Star Office – Writer
• IBM – Lotus Word Pro
• Micro Soft – WordPad
• Corel – WordPerfect

2. Spreadsheet

Electronic spreadsheet software permits users to work with the rows and columns of a matrix (or spreadsheets) of data. Several spreadsheets can be contained in a single worksheet. Examples of spreadsheets are Lotus 1-2-3 and Ms-Excel.

The electronic spreadsheet is an extremely useful applications program for both the business and the home user. The spreadsheets are mainly used for budgets, inventory management, portfolio management, proposal costing, management decision support etc.

Some Spreadsheet S/W is :

• Microsoft Excel
• Lotus 1-2-3
• org Calc
• SuperCalc
• Corel Quattro Pro

3. Presentation Graphics

Presentation graphics are graphics used to communicate or make a presentation of data to others, such as clients or supervisors. They use different texturing patterns, color, and three-dimensionality. Examples of well- known graphics packages are graphics packages are Freelance Graphics, Power Point etc.

Some Presentation S/W is :

• Microsoft PowerPoint
• org Impress
• Corel Presentations
• Lotus Symphony Presentations
• Think free Show

4. Data Base Management Software

Data management or database software permits users to create and maintain a database and to extract information from the

All database software packages can create, maintain (add, delete, revise records) a database, Extract and list particular records, sort records, create reports etc. Examples of database software packages are DBASE III-Plus and FoxPro.

Some Database S/W is :

• Microsoft Access
• FoxPro
• MS-SQL Server
• Oracle
• DB

DESKTOP PUBLISHING

• A desktop publishing software popularly known as DTP is a specialized program used to create publications of professional quality using a Computer.
• DTP is used to create publications such as newsletters, text books, brochures, newspapers. Business cards, certificates, calendars and flyers.
• Popular DTP software includes Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress, Adobe In Design, Serif Page Plus and Apple Page 2.

ADVANTAGES OF DESKTOP PUBLICATION :

• Every item on a page is contained in a frame and can be edited and formatted independently.
• Stories can be contained in a single frame or threaded between several frames.
• Frames need not flow in logical sequence. For example a story on page 1 may be continued on page 8.
• Master pages are used to set a common layout which may be repeated on several pages. E.g Logo, page numbers.
• Publication can be printed in a form suitable for commercial printing e.g using colour separations.
• Wide range of templates is available e.g brochures, booklets, posters, business cards.
• Multiple stories from different authors can be handled with ease.

COMMON FEATURES OF DTP SOFTWARE :

Most DTPs provide the user with a variety of tools for designing, manipulating and editing a publication.

• Select Tool Used to select, move and resize images and text.
• Text Tool Used to draw text frames, insert and manipulate text.
• Shapes Tools For drawing basic shapes e.g rectangles and importing objects.
• Zoom Tool For magnifying publications view.
• Rotate Tool For rotating text or graphics.