ICT FOR LIFE

Application software vs. software applications

I don't think that application software and software applications are the same. 'Application software' denotes specialized form software, namely those that is used for direct applications, eg. in comparison to operating system software that is not 'application' software. 'Software applications' however are a special form of applications, made 'from software', e.g. an operating system. Do you agree? If so, one should change redirects and article contents. FelixKaiser 16:35, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. There is also a need for a page on software application from the standpoint of application portfolio management. I added a page for Software Application and linked between the two pages.--Nickmalik 01:52, 19 October 2006 (UTC)

What is the difference between system software and applications software?

"System Software" tends to refer to all of those components that are "generic" on the computer such as the operating system, the device drivers, the network layers, the HAL, etc. (Speaking a bit generally) no matter what application the computer is used for (or switched to), the system software remains approximately the same.

By contrast, Application Software tends to be that software that implements the actual application (purpose) that the user is using the computer to accomplish. For example, text editing, word processing, data collection, architectural rendering, etc.

The line can, admittedly, be a bit blurry, especially near the line between the system software and the application software, but generally speaking, you'll know which is which "when you see it".

Atlant 23:56, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

No software remains the same. The definition of software is that it is recodable and the definition of human is that it keeps learning. Besides updates between major version levels, firmware changes, and the exponential knee of technology, software remains 'soft'. The primary difference between system software is that system software provides a platform for applications. The platform is the combination of the O/S and the machine on which it runs. Utilities that are bundled with the sale of an Operating system, are considered application software since they have a user programmable interface (either GUI, BATCH, or etc.) The Kernel itself, drivers, and any run-time management services (not daemons) such as "init" for *nix platforms, or other real-time priority processes are considered to be system software. Keep in mind that personal computers are not the only computers in the world. Thanks! :) Ste4k 12:11, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

Sorry, guys, but this is a distinction without a difference. A software application is application software, full-stop. Just as watching high-def TV is watching TV high-def, and eating cold porridge is eating porridge cold. They are the same thing. You aren't describing a difference here -- you're inventing one.--64.229.24.183 06:08, 20 March 2007 (UTC)