AS Level ICT

Selection and use of appropriate software: Applications software

Applications software

• Application software is software designed to perform a specific job

• Application software includes:– Package software– Generic software– Integrated software– Specific software– Bespoke or tailor-made software

Package software

• Package software is a bundle of files required to run a particular program

• It will include any documentation that the user needs to start and/or operate the program

Generic software

• Generic software is the most common ready-made software that is available for users

• It includes:– Word processing software– Desktop publishing software– Database software– Spreadsheet software– Presentation software– Web browser

Generic software

• Generic software often comes as part of the basic software installed on a computer

• Generic software is also sometimes called general purpose software

• It is very popular because it is usually relatively cheap, well tested, and has wide support (e.g. easy to use manuals and tutorials)

• Generic/general purpose software is also known as ‘content free software’

Integrated software

• Integrated software is a package of different software applications that allow data to be transferred from one application to another

• For example, Microsoft Office and Open Office contain word-processing, database, presentation, spreadsheet, and graphics manipulation application software

• Furthermore, data from each application within Microsoft Office or Open Office can be transferred to every other application within the package

Examples of integrated software

Microsoft Office Professional 2007 includes database, spreadsheet, presentation, desk-top publishing, word-processing, and email software

Examples of integrated software

Open Office includes a word-processing software called ‘Writer’ …

Examples of integrated software

… spreadsheet software called ‘Calc’ …

Examples of integrated software

… presentation software called ‘Impress’ …

Examples of integrated software

… graphics software called ‘Draw’ …

Examples of integrated software

… and database software called ‘Base’

Integrated software - Advantages

• It is cheaper than buying separate application programs

• It is easier to move data between application programs within the package

• The user interface is consistent and therefore easier for the user to learn how to use

Integrated software - Disadvantages

• They tend to have weak areas (e.g. they may be better at word processing than creating and manipulating spreadsheets)

• Data may not be easily transferred to programs that are not part of the package

• They may include applications that the user will not use often or at all

• Cheap is not always best! (e.g. Microsoft Works is an integrated software package but it is not compatible with applications in Microsoft Office, which is a much more expensive package)

Specific software

• Specific software is software that performs a particular task

• Examples of specific software includes:– Payroll software– Stock control software– Garden design software– Kitchen design software

Examples of specific software

Payroll software – this example has been developed from a spreadsheet program

Examples of specific software

Kitchen design software – this example has been developed by combining a spreadsheet and a graphics program so that it not only designs the kitchen but also works out the cost

Bespoke/tailor-made software

• Bespoke/tailor-made software is software that is specifically created for a particular user (i.e. a business or organisation) because there is no suitable software available ‘off the shelf’

• Bespoke/tailor-made software is very expensive because it is specially designed for a specific purpose for a specific user

Bespoke/tailor-made software - Advantages

• The advantages of bespoke/tailor-made software are:– The user does not need to modify the way in

which they work to satisfy the needs of the software

– The software came be designed to do exactly what the user needs; it does not come with unnecessary ‘extras’

– The software can be written so that it works with the user’s existing hardware and software

Bespoke/tailor-made software - Disadvantages

• The disadvantages of bespoke/tailor-made software are:– It is much more expensive that buying off-the-

shelf software– It may require considerably more testing before

any or all the errors and ‘bugs’ have been removed than off-the-shelf software that has been adapted to perform the same functions

Off-the-shelf software

• Off-the-shelf software is software that already exists and is available for a user to purchase from a supplier

Off-the-shelf software - Advantages

• The advantages of off-the-shelf software are:– It is much cheaper to buy than bespoke/tailor-

made software– It is immediately available for the user to install

and begin using– It will have an extensive support network of help

desks, manuals, training courses, and online discussion groups of other users

– It will have undergone extensive testing and debugging

AS Level ICT

Selection and use of appropriate software: Applications software