Application software

An application program (software application, or application, or app for short) is a computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the operation of the computer itself,^[1] typically to be used by end-users.^[2] Word processors, media players, and accounting software are examples. The collective noun "application software" refers to all applications collectively.^[3] The other principal classifications of software are system software, relating to the operation of the computer, and utility software ("utilities").

Applications may be bundled with the computer and its system software or published separately and may be coded as proprietary, open-source, or projects.^[4] When referring to applications for mobile devices such as phones, the term "app" is more commonly used.

^ "application software". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
^ R. Shirey (August 2007). Internet Security Glossary, Version 2. Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC4949. RFC 4949. Informational.
^ "Application software". PC Magazine. Ziff Davis.
^ Ryan, Thorne (2013-03-14). "Caffeine and computer screens: student programmers endure weekend long appathon". The Arbiter. Archived from the original on 2016-07-09. Retrieved 2015-10-12.

[1] "application software". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)

[rfc4949-2] R. Shirey (August 2007). Internet Security Glossary, Version 2. Network Working Group. doi:10.17487/RFC4949. RFC 4949. Informational.

[3] "Application software". PC Magazine. Ziff Davis.

[:1-4] Ryan, Thorne (2013-03-14). "Caffeine and computer screens: student programmers endure weekend long appathon". The Arbiter. Archived from the original on 2016-07-09. Retrieved 2015-10-12.

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