OpenOffice.org Writer word processor. OpenOffice.org is a popular example of an open source application software suite

Application software is any tool that functions and is operated by means of a computer with the purpose of supporting or improving the software users work. In other words is the subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software or middleware is involved in integrating a computers various capabilities but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to both the application software and its implementation. ¹

A simple if imperfect analogy in the world of hardware would be the relationship of an electric light bulb to an electric power generation plant . The power plant merely generates electricity not itself of any real use until harnessed to an application like the electric light that performs a service that benefits the user.

Typical examples of software applications are word processors spreadsheets and media players database applications.

Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite. Microsoft Office OpenOffice.org and iWork 08 which bundle together a word processor a spreadsheet and several other discrete applications are typical examples. The separate applications in a suite usually have a user interface that has some commonality making it easier for the user to learn and use each application. And often they may have some capability to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user. For example a spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application.

User-written software tailors systems to meet the users specific needs. User-written software include spreadsheet templates word processor macros scientific simulations graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is.

In some types of embedded systems the application software and the operating system software may be indistinguishable to the user as in the case of software used to control a VCR DVD player or microwave oven.

It is important to note that this definition may exclude some applications that may exist on some computers in large organizations. For an alternate definition of an application: see Application Portfolio Management.