Basic Application Software
General Purpose Apps VS Special Purpose Apps
General Purpose Apps
-Generally tools that provide specific capabilities, but not in support of a specific purpose.These software performs common information processing jobs for end users but not in support of a specific purpose. They are also known as productivity packages because they greatly increase the productivity of the end users. Examples :
- Word processors
- Spreadsheets
- Database management systems
- Presentation graphic
Special Purpose Apps
-Highly specialized software that are designed to handle specific tasks. They're more limited in what they can do, but they usually perform much better than a general purpose program in a specific task. Examples :
- Graphics programs
- Audio and video editors
- Multimedia authoring programs
- Web authoring programs
- Virtual reality programs
Common Features of Apps
-A user interface is the portion of the application that allows you to control and to interact with the program. Most applications use a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays graphical elements called icons to represent familiar objects and a mouse.
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Traditional
-Use a system of menus, toolbars, dialog boxes, and buttons. Menus present commands that are typically displayed in a menu bar at the top of the screen. When one of the menu items is selected, an additional list of menu options or a dialog box that provides additional information and requests user input may appear.
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Ribbon
-Replace menus and toolbars by organizing commonly used commands into a set of tabs. These tabs display command buttons that are the most relevant to the tasks being performed by the user.
Word Processor
-Allow users to create and manipulate documents.
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Basic editing
-Through basic editing, there is Thesaurus provided . We can find and replace uncorrect words. There are also spelling and grammar checkers.
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Formatting Features
-In formatting features, there are font and font sizing , character effects plus bulleted and numbered lists provided to ease user tasks.
Spreadsheets
-Allow users to organize data in rows and columns and perform calculations.
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Workbook Files
- A collection of one or more spreadsheets, also called worksheets, in a single file.
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Worksheets
-A single page in a file created with an electronic spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
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Cells
-A box in which you can enter a single piece of data.
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Text Entries
- A string or simply as text is a group of characters that are used as data in a spreadsheet program.
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Formulas
-Used to represent an. expression, which, one entered into the cell, allows the spreadsheet to. perform automatic calculations based on values in other cells and to. display the result. Formulas may also contain references to other cells, expressions, or functions.
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Functions
-A built-in calculation. A formula could just use a single function.There many functions such as sum , average and etc.
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Ranges
-A group of cells within a row or column.
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Graphs
-Used to illustrate trends over time, while charts illustrate patterns or contain information about frequency.
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Recalculation
-Refers to computing the values of cells in a spreadsheet. Necessary whenever you change a formula or enter new data into one or more cells.
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What-If Analysis
- The process of changing the values in cells to see how those changes will affect the outcome of formulas on the worksheet. Three kinds of What-If Analysis tools come with Excel: Scenarios, Goal Seek, and Data Tables. Scenarios and Data tables take sets of input values and determine possible results.
Reflection on Chapter 3
As a conclusion, after I studied this chapter , I begin to believe that application software can greatly enhance the productivity on one user. Many daily tasks can be done with the present of application software. More surprisingly , all of the types application software is now available in one roof which is software suite. Next , it also come with affordable price that no one can deny. As a student, i will not waste any resources regarding this application software that has been given by my university. I will use all of the free application software to assist me to become a successful student in the future.