| Application software is a subclass of computer | | | | editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks. |
| software that employs the capabilities of a computer | | | | • Content access software is software used |
| directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes | | | | primarily to access content without editing, but may |
| to perform. This should be contrasted with system | | | | include software that allows for content editing. Such |
| software which is involved in integrating a computer's | | | | software addresses the needs of individuals and |
| various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply | | | | groups to consume digital entertainment and published |
| them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. | | | | digital content. (Examples include Media Players, Web |
| In this context the term application refers to both the | | | | Browsers, Help browsers, and Games) |
| application software and its implementation. | | | | • Educational software is related to Media and |
| There are many subtypes of application software: | | | | Entertainment Software, but has distinct requirements |
| • Enterprise software addresses the needs of | | | | for delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress |
| organization processes and data flow, often in a large | | | | through material. It is also related to collaboration |
| distributed ecosystem. (Examples include Financial, | | | | software in that many Educational Software systems |
| Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain | | | | include collaborative capabilities. |
| Management). Note that Departmental Software is a | | | | • Simulation software are computer software for |
| sub-type of Enterprise Software with a focus on | | | | simulation of physical or abstract systems for either |
| smaller organizations or groups within a large | | | | research, training or entertainment purposes. |
| organization. (Examples include Travel Expense | | | | • Media development software addresses the |
| Management, and IT Helpdesk) | | | | needs of individuals who generate print and electronic |
| • Enterprise infrastructure software provides | | | | media for others to consume, most often in a |
| common capabilities needed to create Enterprise | | | | commercial or educational setting. This includes Graphic |
| Software systems. (Examples include Databases, | | | | Art software, Desktop Publishing software, Multimedia |
| Email servers, and Network and Security | | | | Development software, HTML editors, Digital Animation |
| Management) | | | | editors, Digital Audio and Video composition, and many |
| • Information worker software addresses the | | | | others. |
| needs of individuals to create and manage information, | | | | • Product engineering software is used in |
| often for individual projects within a department, in | | | | developing hardware and software products. This |
| contrast to enterprise management. Examples include | | | | includes computer aided design (CAD), computer aided |
| time management, resource management, | | | | engineering (CAE), computer language editing and |
| documentation tools, analytical, and collaborative. Word | | | | compiling tools, Integrated Development Environments, |
| processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, | | | | and Application Programmer Interfaces. |
| personal information system, and individual media | | | | |