Starting in the 1980s, application software has been sold in mass-produced packages
through retailers
Users often see things differently than programmers. People who use modern general
purpose computers (as opposed to embedded systems, analog computers, supercomputers, etc.)
usually see three layers of software performing a variety of tasks: platform, application, and user
software.
Platform software
Platform includes the basic input-output system (often described as firmware rather than
software), device drivers, an operating system, and typically a graphical user interface
which, in total, allow a user to interact with the computer and its peripherals (associated
equipment). Platform software often comes bundled with the computer, and users may not
realize that it exists or that they have a choice to use different platform software.
Application software
Application software or Applications are what most people think of when they think of
software. Typical examples include office suites and video games. Application software is
often purchased separately from computer hardware. Sometimes applications are bundled
with the computer, but that does not change the fact that they run as independent
applications. Applications are almost always independent programs from the operating
system, though they are often tailored for specific platforms. Most users think of compilers,
databases, and other "system software" as applications.
User-written software
User software tailors systems to meet the users specific needs. User software include
spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, graphics and
animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software
themselves and often overlook how important it is. Depending on how competently the userwritten
software has been integrated into purchased application packages, many users may
not be aware of the distinction between the purchased packages, and what has been added by
fellow co-workers.
through retailers
Users often see things differently than programmers. People who use modern general
purpose computers (as opposed to embedded systems, analog computers, supercomputers, etc.)
usually see three layers of software performing a variety of tasks: platform, application, and user
software.
Platform software
Platform includes the basic input-output system (often described as firmware rather than
software), device drivers, an operating system, and typically a graphical user interface
which, in total, allow a user to interact with the computer and its peripherals (associated
equipment). Platform software often comes bundled with the computer, and users may not
realize that it exists or that they have a choice to use different platform software.
Application software
Application software or Applications are what most people think of when they think of
software. Typical examples include office suites and video games. Application software is
often purchased separately from computer hardware. Sometimes applications are bundled
with the computer, but that does not change the fact that they run as independent
applications. Applications are almost always independent programs from the operating
system, though they are often tailored for specific platforms. Most users think of compilers,
databases, and other "system software" as applications.
User-written software
User software tailors systems to meet the users specific needs. User software include
spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, graphics and
animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software
themselves and often overlook how important it is. Depending on how competently the userwritten
software has been integrated into purchased application packages, many users may
not be aware of the distinction between the purchased packages, and what has been added by
fellow co-workers.
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