Application Software

Application Software

1. Desktop publishing

   • Similar to a word processor but with added publishing features Has more layout features Borders and shading Has more publishing features in terms of fonts, kerning, etc. Controls widows and orphans
     • Production of editorial documents.

2. Multimedia software

   • Allows the presentation of data in various formats – digital, visual, print, web, etc. Allows for different pathways.
     • All businesses have to present information – from statistics to text to pictures.

3. Video editing software

   • This allows for the editing of videos, e.g. trimming of clips Images can be imported into the video Audio can be added Effects can be added, such as the fading in of frames
     • Suitable for a marketing business in which times and effects matter.

4. Gaming software

   • Enhancement tools for sound and video Creation of sprites Animation of objects Allows for different genres Contains tools for manipulation of various file formats
     • Used in the gaming industry – children’s games, educational games, adult games, etc.

5. Spreadsheet

   • Can record data Can search data Can sort data Can enter various types of data Absolute and relative cell referencing Validation and conditional formatting Can perform calculations Can produce graphs and charts Can print in various formats Can import/export data Can use logic functions Can protect cells Can edit and manipulate data Can password-protect files Can make predictions using the ‘what if’ scenario
     • To display and process information (usually calculations) in a structured way.

6. Database management software

   • Create records, fields and files Tables can be linked – relational Primary keys can be set up Data can be queried Data can be sorted Customised reports can be created Can password-protect files Mail-merging facilities Online forms can be created
     • To organise data into a form manageable for efficient searching and sorting and report production.

7. Communication software

   • Used to send and receive data Can add attachments Can add signatures Can set auto response messages Can send to multiple recipients Contains tools to assist with communications
     • All businesses require this type of software for social networking, instant messaging, transferring files and emailing clients.

8. Photo editing software

   • Allows importation and exportation of photographs into various documents Can set layers/masks in which photographs can be built up from others It has a lot of image-editing features such as cropping, etc.
     • Suitable for the manipulation of images.

9. Slideshow software

   • Master slides can be produced Automatic slide timings can be set Slideshows can be looped Buttons can be added for manual timings Slide sizes can be manipulated according to their function Transition and animation effects
     • Suitable for audience presentations or in advertising, e.g. banners in shopping centres

10. Apps for portable devices

    • These work on any device They work as you move computers Files, etc. are not left on a PC Additional software is not required to run apps They can be used on removable drives
      • Suitable for use on a portable device such as a phone.

11. Web bowering software

    • Enables a user to view web pages Allows the creation of bookmarks Allows navigation of the web with the back/forward button Enables the user to organise bookmarks and favourites The History function allows the user to record the websites visited Enables the user to refresh a page using the refresh button Enables the user to input URLs into the address bar Displays a status bar to inform the user of loading details
      • To allow the reading of web pages.

12. Graphics-manipulation software

    • Graphics can be described as pictures or graphs. Can select and use various components Allows the use of vector or bitmapped graphics Has creating and editing tools such as freehand, cropping, etc. The user is able to select and use specialised enhancement tools such as filters and retouching Allows the saving of various file formats in the appropriate resolution
      • Suitable for any business that deals with graphics – from a photo graphics business to the production of model portfolios to web designers.

13. Word processing

    • Text formatting Text editing Templates Mail merge Incorporation of graphics Tables, borders, columns Text wrapping Macros Important/exporting Reviewing and facilities
      • To create and prepare documents.

14. Presentation software

    • Interactive This allows for the combination of text, graphics, video and audio in a presentation This makes the information more interesting and more meaningful Different forms of navigation Different storage file formats Allows for different paths through the software
      • Useful for businesses in the training of their employees.