Definition
Also known as Apps, this is a program or group of programs designed for end users. Apps are often referred to as "Software" and can be divided into two general classes: systems software and applications software. Systems software consists of low-level programs that interact with the computer at a very basic level. This includes operating systems, compilers, and utilities for managing computer resources.

In contrast, applications software (also called end-user programs) include database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets. Practically speaking, applications software resides above systems software, because it is unable to run without the operating system and system utilities.

[edit]Subclass of Software
As a subclass of computer software, applications software addresses the capabilities of a computer directly and comprehensively in tasks that the user wishes to perform.

The term application refers to both the software itself, as well as its implementation. Systems Software on the other hand, is rarely involved in direct user interaction. However, it does have a hand in the integration of the computer's various capabilities, and this, in turn, affects the User Experience.

For example, the Powergrid generation unit is a type of system software and its application, with a bulb used to light homes, factories, etc.

[edit]Types of Apps
Here are a few examples of types of software applications: word processors, spreadsheets, and media players. Application software often includes multiple applications bundled together as a package or suite, like Microsoft Office or OpenOffice which both contain a suite of applications for common office usage. There are many types of applications software.

[edit]Enterprise Apps
Enterprise software includes computer programs that assist in streamlining the business processes of an enterprise organization as well as managing its data flows, thereby channeling its decision support information in the operational and strategic areas of business management.

Examples of enterprise software include: Finance Management, Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain Management. Some examples of the enterprise software at operational level, including Expense Management, Logistics, Helpdesk for Customer Support, and Sales Network Management.

[edit]Enterprise Infrastructure Apps
Enterprise infrastructure software include software tools and packages which the Enterprise software systems can use for development. Some examples of typical Enterprise infrastructure software include: Databases, Email servers, Web design tools, Network Security Management software tools, and application testing tools.

[edit]Information Worker Apps
Information worker software includes software at an operational level, which is task-oriented and addresses the needs of the organization's staff in many of their day-to-day tasks. Some examples of these include, Documentation Management tools, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Email and Chat Clients, Personal Information Systems, Time Management, and Resource Management.

[edit]Content Access Apps
Content access software includes general utility software packages, and tools that facilitate the access and use of digital content. Some examples of content access software include media players, web browsers, sound/graphic/video editing tools, computer games, and DVD and CD reader/writer software tools.

[edit]Educational Apps
Educational software includes software packages where the content is usually created with multimedia, which can be used for teaching and learning. Educational software packages can be interactive and collaborative using the SCORM standards. Some examples include digital dictionaries, encyclopedias, wikis, LMS based, children's learning (such as, Disney Interactive, Gcompris), professional learning software systems, and digital tutorials.

[edit]Simulation Apps
Simulation software is computer software that is primarily used for system modelling, system testing and for simulating physical or abstract systems for various purposes such as research, entertainment, testing, training, or demonstrations. Some examples of simulation software include computer gaming, software testing ( such as WebTest), facility design/configuration, scheduling (such as Arena from Rockwell Automation), event simulation for material handling (such as AutoMod), and capacity-planning simulation (like AutoSched AP.)

[edit]Media development Apps
Media development software is the software development tools and utilities that are used for creating software in electronic and print media, animations, gaming, websites, movie, and musicals. Some examples of media development software include graphic arts software (such as PhotoShop, Illustrator, ImageReady, and Gimp), Desktop Publishing software (like Pagemaker), multimedia development software (like Flash, Swish, HTML editors (such as Dreamweaver, HTML Kit, FrontPage), digital animation editors (like Gif Animator Set), digital audio (MIDI sequencers like GarageBand, Fl Studio, and Apple Logic) and video composition (like Swish, or Director.)

[edit]Product engineering Apps
Product engineering software are software packages and tools that are used in developing high end software systems (like system software, embedded software, IDEs, compiling tools, APIs, device drivers etc), developing computer hardware and engineering product design, and modeling. Product engineering software also includes specialized engineering design software such as CAD (Computer Aided Design), CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing), and CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) tools.