The term application software (or simply applications) stands for programs not included in the operating system that are instead installed by the user to perform specific tasks. For example, with Windows operating systems the most widely used word processing software is probably Microsoft Word. Word is not a part of Windows; it must be purchased separately and installed on the computer after the operating system is configured. Other applications are the antivirus programs (Norton, McAffee, Panda, etc.), file compression programs (Winzip, ZipCentral, etc.), e-mail programs (Eudora, Outlook Express, etc.), photo retouching programs (Photoshop, PaintShop Pro, etc.), multimedia authoring programs (Dreamweaver, Home Site, FrontPage, Flash, Director, etc.), audio/video players (Quick Time Player, Real Player, etc.), and so on.

Strictly speaking, many of the "utilities" installed together with Windows (accessories group) are also applications: NotePad, the calculator, Paint, WordPad. These are all simple programs which, while not essential to machine operation (they can be removed without influencing operation in any manner), are installed together with the operating system to offer the user some simple basic applications. It may sound strange, but with only the operating system installed a computer works perfectly-but the user cannot do anything with it.

We can classify applications in 5 basic categories:

• System utilities. These are programs that improve computer management and security (for example, the antivirus programs) or optimize computer resources, perform system status control and/or hard disk maintenance, etc
• Office Automation - Programs that aid in normal office tasks: word processors for creating and processing texts, data base managers, spreadsheets, e-mail, Internet browsers, etc.
  
• Business applications - Programs that perform specific business tasks; for example, invoicing, personnel management, warehousing, machine control, etc. Programs of this type are often written especially for companies by the software houses.
• Development tools - Programs for creating multimedia objects (web pages, animated sequences, interactive CDs), audio/video/image processing, and programs used to create other programs (authoring tools).
• Games, etc. - Computer games, emulators, audio and video players.
  It goes without saying that these categories are purely conceptual distinctions, not strict classifications.

The software purchase price always includes a personal use license, which permits using the software for one's own activity (the exact terms of the licensing agreement are always specified in the documentation accompanying the product). The cost of a program for PC can vary from 10 or 20 Euro to thousands of Euro, according to the complexity of the product.
Software downloaded from Internet is instead subject to one of two types of licenses: freeware and shareware.

• Freeware is, as the name implies, free-of-charge software that may be freely used and copied (to the exception of copying for sale to others). Freeware programs are usually rather elementary, and are made available to the public for advertising and promotional reasons (and in this case are usually simplified versions of products offered for sale, launch versions of new software) or simply because their creators prefer it this way. Sometimes (or rather, in most cases) free use is conditional on use restrictions: for example, strictly non-commercial use.
• Shareware is offered on a "free trial" basis for a limited period of time (for example, 30 days) from the time of installation. At the end of the trial period, if the user wants to continue using the product he/she should either purchase it or uninstall it. Various things may happen at the end of a shareware trial period: some programs warn the user that the period has expired, but continue to operate: others, instead, cease to operate altogether or operate in a limited capacity (for example, the user may no longer be permitted to save files). Shareware programs of this type reacquire full operability (and legality) only after a "software key" supplied by the producer upon payment is entered.

Besides in freeware and shareware forms, many programs are available on Internet in demo (demonstration) form. These are free versions of purchasable software, which however offer only partial operability (for example, it may be impossible to save files, or only certain functions may be included).

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