software types

Types of Application Software:

Word Processing Software: Allows users to create, edit a document. Example: MS Word, Word Pad etc.

Spreadsheet Software: Allows users to create document and perform calculation. Example: Excel, Lotus1-2-3 etc.

Database Software: Allows users to store and retrieve vast amount of data. Example: MS Access, MySQL, Oracle etc.

Presentation Graphic Software: Allows users to create visual presentation. Example: MS Power Point

Multimedia Software: Allows users to create image, audio, video etc. Example: Real Player, Media Player etc.

Ownership Rights and Delivery Methods:

Commercial Software: Installation in number of computers is specified by the software vendor/producer. User only buys the license to use it. User does not buy the software. He/she may not be allowed to install a software more than one machine.

A demo version of software may exist for free but demo version does not include all the key components of the software.

Shareware: May be free of charge or the software company may charge a nominal fee. Users can download these kinds of software from the Internet. Example: Real Player full version, MP3 player full version, different games downloaded from he Internet.

Freeware: Software that are given away for free by the vendor/producer. Example: Real Player trial version, MP3 Player trial version etc.

Installed software Vs. Web-Based Software:

Installed Software: Software you buy from market or download from the Internet to your computer. The software is physically installed in your computer and runs from your Hard Drive. Usually these kinds of software are wrapped inside a CD case when you buy it from market. Example: MS Office, Games etc.

Web Based Software: Software that are run from the Internet. Example: Online games, Virus protection software that you download from Internet etc.

Software Suites: Related software programs are sometimes sold bundled together as a software suite. Example: MS Office. When you purchase MS Office license you basically purchase the right to install and use MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, and FrontPage.

Object Linking and Embedding (OLE):

Embedding: Allows you to copy and paste part of document from one format (MS Word) to another (Excel).

Linking: Allows you to create a link between a source format  (Excel) and a destination format (Power Point).

In linking if the source file data change the destination data will change. In Embedding if the source data change destination data does not change.