1. Selection and use of appropriate software: Applications software
AS Level ICT
Selection and use of appropriate software: Applications software
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

2. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

3. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

4. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

5. 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’
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

6. 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

7. Examples of integrated software
Microsoft Office Professional includes database, spreadsheet, presentation, desk-top publishing, word-processing, and software

8. Examples of integrated software
Open Office includes a word-processing software called ‘Writer’ …

9. Examples of integrated software
… spreadsheet software called ‘Calc’ …

10. Examples of integrated software
… presentation software called ‘Impress’ …

11. Examples of integrated software
… graphics software called ‘Draw’ …

12. Examples of integrated software
… and database software called ‘Base’

13. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

14. 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)
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

15. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

16. Examples of specific software
Payroll software – this example has been developed from a spreadsheet program

17. 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

18. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

19. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

20. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

21. Off-the-shelf software
Off-the-shelf software is software that already exists and is available for a user to purchase from a supplier
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

22. 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
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software

23. Selection and use of appropriate software: Applications software
AS Level ICT
Selection and use of appropriate software: Applications software
Unit 1 Topic d - Applications software