← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Examples of application software

Software named by the user task it does, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, photo or video editor, or game, so the user can get a job done.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 5

Understanding Examples of application software in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: A web browser is named by the task the user does: browsing web pages. A spreadsheet is application software named for the task of working with numbers in cells and formulas. A photo editor is application software for changing images. A database stores and searches organised data. A spreadsheet and a video editor are applications. An operating system and antivirus software are system software.

Common mistakes: Writing a letter is a word processing task, so the app should be "word processor". A spreadsheet is named for working with numbers in rows and columns. Python lists do not have an add method. Use apps.append("photo editor") to put the photo editor on the list of applications.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 356–372) and word search (Modules 356–389).

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Learning

Duo

Which one is an example of application software?

A disk defragmentation utility that tidies the hard driveA word processor used to write an essay

Matches

A game is system software because it runs on the computer

↓

A game is application software, not system software. It does a task for the user (entertainment) and does not manage the computer itself.

Applying

Meanings

Term

application software

Meaning

Software named by the user task it does, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, photo or video editor, or game, so the user can get a job done.

Practice

word processor: write a report

Testing

Gaps

OUTPUT ""

Check Answer

Spots

1task = "write a letter"

2app = "spreadsheet"

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Quick Questions

1. Which one is an example of application software?

A. A word processor used to write an essay ✓

B. A disk defragmentation utility that tidies the hard drive

A word processor does a user task (writing documents), so it is application software. Utilities are system software.

2. A student wants to store marks in rows and columns and total them with formulas. Which application suits the task?

A. Web browser

B. Spreadsheet ✓

A spreadsheet is application software named for the task of working with numbers in cells and formulas.

3. Which statement is correct?

A. A web browser is system software because it connects to the internet

B. A web browser is application software because it lets the user view web pages ✓

A web browser does a user task (viewing websites), so it is application software. It does not manage the computer itself.

4. Which application would you choose to crop a photo and remove red eye?

A. Photo editor ✓

B. Database

A photo editor is application software for changing images. A database stores and searches organised data.

5. True or false: A game is an example of application software.

A. True ✓

B. False

A game does a task the user wants (entertainment), so it is application software.

Match the Pairs

word processor → Application software used to write, edit and format text documents such as essays and letters

spreadsheet → Application software used to store numbers in cells, do calculations with formulas and make charts

Application software that lets a user view websites on the internet → web browser

Application software that lets a user crop, retouch or add effects to pictures and clips → photo or video editor

A game is system software because it runs on the computer → A game is application software, not system software. It does a task for the user (entertainment) and does not manage the computer itself.

A spreadsheet is used to write letters and essays → This describes a word processor. A spreadsheet is used for numbers, formulas and charts in cells.

Key Term

application software

Software named by the user task it does, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, photo or video editor, or game, so the user can get a job done.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF task = "write a letter" THEN OUTPUT "word processor" ENDIF

Hint: Type the application used to write and format documents

2. IF task = "visit a website" THEN OUTPUT "web browser" ENDIF

Hint: Type the application used to view pages on the internet

3. IF task = "cut a film clip" THEN OUTPUT "video editor" ENDIF

Hint: Type the application used to trim and edit moving footage

4. IF task = "calculate totals" THEN OUTPUT "spreadsheet" ENDIF

Hint: Type the application that works with numbers in rows and columns

5. IF task = "play for fun" THEN OUTPUT "game" ENDIF

Hint: Type the application used for entertainment and play

Spot the Error

Question 1

A task = "write a letter"

B app = "spreadsheet"

C print(task, "uses", app)

Line B — Writing a letter is a word processing task, so the app should be "word processor". A spreadsheet is named for working with numbers in rows and columns.

Question 2

A apps = []

B apps.append("spreadsheet")

C apps.append("web browser")

D apps.add("photo editor")

E print(len(apps))

Line D — Python lists do not have an add method. Use apps.append("photo editor") to put the photo editor on the list of applications.

Question 3

A task = "browse websites"

B if task = "browse websites":

C app = "web browser"

D print(app)

Line B — A single = assigns a value. To compare the task with a string in an if statement, use ==, so the line should be if task == "browse websites":.

Question 4

A def open_app(task):

B if task == "edit photos":

C return "spreadsheet"

D return "unknown"

Line C — Editing photos is the job of a photo editor, not a spreadsheet. Application software is named by the task it does, so this line should return "photo editor".

Question 5

A apps = ["game", "browser"]

B for app in apps:

C print(app

Line C — The closing bracket is missing, so Python raises a SyntaxError. The line should be print(app) with the closing bracket, indented 4 spaces inside the loop.

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