Editing Computing (section)

==== Application software ====
{{Main|Application software}}

Application software, also known as an ''application'' or an ''app'', is computer software designed to help the user perform specific tasks. Examples include [[enterprise software]], [[accounting software]], [[office suite]]s, [[graphics software]], and [[media player (application software)|media player]]s. Many application programs deal principally with [[Document file format|documents]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Basic Computer Terms |url=https://web.pdx.edu/~stipakb/download/PA550/BasicComputerTerms.htm |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=web.pdx.edu}}</ref> Apps may be [[Product bundling|bundled]] with the computer and its system software, or may be published separately. Some users are satisfied with the bundled apps and need never install additional applications. The system software manages the hardware and serves the application, which in turn serves the user.

Application software applies the power of a particular [[computing platform]] or system software to a particular purpose. Some apps, such as [[Microsoft Office]], are developed in multiple versions for several different platforms; others have narrower requirements and are generally referred to by the platform they run on. For example, a ''[[Geographic information system|geography]] application for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]'' or an ''[[Android (operating system)|Android]] application for [[Educational software|education]]'' or ''[[Linux gaming]]''. Applications that run only on one platform and increase the desirability of that platform due to the popularity of the application, known as [[killer application]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The Fibreculture Journal : 25 {{!}} FCJ-181 There's a History for That: Apps and Mundane Software as Commodity |journal=The Fibreculture Journal |issue=FCJ-181 |url=https://twentyfive.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-181-theres-a-history-for-that-apps-and-mundane-software-as-commodity/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |language=en-US |last1=Morris (Aff1) |first1=Jeremy Wade |last2=Elkins (Aff1) |first2=Evan }}</ref>