ACCB 133 Information Technology and Accounting Applications Lecture 6: Application Software

Lecture Objectives Understand what application software is and how it interacts with system software Understand and describe how application software can be obtained Understand and describe GUI elements Understand and describe different types of application software

Application Software Definition –software that has been developed to solve a particular problem, to work on specific tasks or to provide entertainment Example –MS Office, SPSS, Red Alert

How to obtain application software Commercial software –also known as proprietary software / packaged software –available for sale openly at software outlets –when you purchase commercial software, you essentially purchase a license to use the software

How to obtain application software Public domain software –software that is not protected by copyright –donated by its creator for public use at no charge

How to obtain application software Shareware –copyrighted software that is distributed free of charge, but requires users to make monetary contributions to continue using it –freely distributed, but you are not allowed to use it to develop your own competing software

How to obtain application software Freeware –copyrighted software distributed for free –why?

How to obtain application software Rentalware –software that users lease for a fee –concept used by ASPs - application software providers

Pirated software Definition –software that is obtained illegally What can be considered as pirated software? –Software that are illegal copies (copied without license / approval) –Software that you have borrowed from a friend who has made a copy of it

Pirated Software Disadvantages of pirated software –no support from manufacturer if something goes wrong –no guarantee –the program may have hidden viruses or worms

Graphical User Interface Common features –Desktop the system’s main interface screen displays pictures (icons) that provide quick access to programs and information

Graphical User Interface Common features –Icons and rollovers icons: small pictures / figures that represent programs, data, files or procedures rollovers: a small text box explaining the icon

Graphical User Interface Common features –Menus a list that offers options of commands to choose from

Graphical User Interface Common features –Window a rectangular frame on the computer display screen, through which data or files can be viewed

Types of software

Productivity software –software that assists people in becoming more effective and efficient in doing their tasks Examples –Word Processing allows you to create, edit, format, print and store text material

Types of software Examples of Productivity software (cont). –Spreadsheets allows users to create tables and financial schedules by entering data and formulas into rows and columns arranged as a grid on a display screen used for calculations, graphs and what-if analysis

Types of software Examples of Productivity software (cont.) –Database software a program that sets up and controls the structure of a database and access to the data reduces data redundancy, improves data integrity

Types of software Examples of Productivity software (cont.) –Personal Information Managers software that helps you keep track and manage information on a daily basis some versions have built in to allow communication

Types of software Speciality software –software that have been designed for a specific purpose Example of speciality software –Presentation Graphics software uses graphics, animations and sound to make visual presentations

Types of software Examples of speciality software –Drawing / Paint Programs allows users to design and illustrate objects and designs, simulate painting on-screen and edit images

Types of software Examples of speciality software –Financial software software that allows personal or corporate financial management, ranging from personal money managers to accounting software

Types of software Examples of speciality software –Desktop publishing mixing text and graphics to produce high quality output for commercial printing used by magazines, publishers etc.

Types of software Examples of speciality software –Web Design Software used to create web pages allows a person with minimum HTML knowledge to design websites

Types of software Examples of speciality software –Engineering software CAD: Computer Aided Design - used to design products, structures, civil engineering, drawings, maps, etc CAM: Computer Aided Manufacturing - allows designs made using CAD to be input into an automated manufacturing system that makes the products

Lecture Summary Today we looked at: –application software how to obtain GUI elements used to interact with application software different types of application software