Let's start with the bottom of the software hierarchy. The application softwares are those softwares that are not required by the computer to function properly. These softwares are installed and used by users because they perform a single task very efficiently and make the task simpler and faster for the user. There are various types of applications software, seeing how much use they can be put into. They are broadly classified as follows:
- Information workers: ERP software, email and blogging softwares, accounting, banking, word processing, presentation and publishing softwares come under this category.
- Content Access: Media players and web browsers are part of this category.
- Enterprise Infrastructure: Database management systems, document management systems, geographic information systems, assets management and workflow softwares are part of this category.
- Entertainment: All entertainment softwares come in here including mobile, computer and console games as well as screen savers and digital pets.
- Simulation software: All simulation softwares are part of this including vehicle simulation, game simulation, battlefield simulation, scientific simulation as well as device simulation softwares.
- Product Engineering: Computer-aided design and engineering softwares, integrated development environments (IDE's), language editors and game development softwares are part of this category.
- Media Development: Image editing, video editing, sound editing, sound sequencing, web development, animation and 3D graphics softwares are part of this category.
- Education software: Classroom management softwares and reference softwares like encyclopedias, are a part of educational software category.
- Miscellaneous: Other utility softwares like antivirus programs, backup and restore tools, etc are miscellaneous applications.
Let's start with the bottom of the software hierarchy. The application softwares are those softwares that are not required by the computer to function properly. These softwares are installed and used by users because they perform a single task very efficiently and make the task simpler and faster for the user. There are various types of applications software, seeing how much use they can be put into. They are broadly classified as follows: