Application software

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Application,’ often simply known as application software, is a category of computer program designed to execute specific tasks or activities. These tasks can vary from manipulating text and numbers to managing graphics and audio. Applications can be custom-made to meet distinct requirements, and they have the flexibility to be portable, not limited to a single software type. They can be broadly categorized as either proprietary, having limited usage rights, or as free and open-source, offering unrestricted usage, distribution, and modification. Applications can be of general-purpose, like word processors, or industry-specific. They can be either web-based, necessitating internet^[1] connectivity, or native, tailored for a specific computer type. The term ‘application’ is also applied in various other technological contexts such as APIs, application servers, and application lifecycle management, signifying its wide-ranging influence beyond just software.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ internet. The Internet, a global network of interconnected computer systems, utilizes standardized communication protocols, predominantly TCP/IP, to connect devices across the globe. The term 'Internet' has its roots in the 1849 term 'internetted' and was later adopted by the US War Department in 1945. The inception of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s when computer scientists developed time-sharing systems, which eventually led to the creation of ARPANET in 1969. The Internet operates autonomously, without any central control, and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages its primary name spaces. It has revolutionized traditional communication methods and has seen an exponential growth, with the number of internet users growing by 20% to 50% every year. In 2019, more than half of the global population was using the Internet. The Internet protocol suite, comprising TCP/IP and four conceptual layers, directs internet packets to their intended destinations. Fundamental services such as email and Internet telephony function on the Internet. The World Wide Web, an extensive network of interconnected documents, serves as a crucial element of the Internet.

Application software (Wikipedia)

An application program (software application, or application, or app for short) is a computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the operation of the computer itself, typically to be used by end-users. Word processors, media players, and accounting software are examples. The collective noun "application software" refers to all applications collectively. The other principal classifications of software are system software, relating to the operation of the computer, and utility software ("utilities").

Applications may be bundled with the computer and its system software or published separately and may be coded as proprietary, open-source, or projects. The term "app" usually refers to applications for mobile devices such as phones.

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