QE2-4 What Are the Types of Software Apps, and How Do Organizations Obtain Them? Flashcards
What is application software?
Application software performs a service or function for users, such as word processing or accounting. It can be general-purpose (e.g., Microsoft Excel) or specific (e.g., QuickBooks).
What are the categories of application software?
Horizontal-market apps: Used across all industries (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets).
Vertical-market apps: Serve the needs of a specific industry (e.g., dental office software).
One-of-a-kind apps: Developed for a unique need (e.g., IRS software).
What are horizontal-market applications?
Horizontal-market apps provide capabilities common across all industries, such as word processors, graphics programs, and spreadsheets.
Examples include Microsoft Word and Excel.
What are vertical-market applications?
Vertical-market apps serve the needs of a specific industry.
Examples include programs for dental offices to schedule appointments or auto mechanics to track repairs.
They can often be customized.
What are one-of-a-kind applications?
One-of-a-kind apps are developed for unique, specific needs that no other organization shares.
For example, the IRS develops its own software because of its specialized requirements.
What are the main sources of application software?
Off the shelf
Off the shelf & customized
Custom developed
Open source
What is the difference between off-the-shelf software and custom-developed software?
Off-the-shelf software: Pre-built software available for purchase and use without modification.
Custom-developed software: Specifically designed to meet the unique needs of a particular organization.
What are the four main sources of application software?
Off-the-shelf software
Off-the-shelf with alterations
Custom-developed software
Open-source software
What is off-the-shelf software?
Off-the-shelf software is pre-built and ready to use immediately.
It is the quickest and least risky option but may not be a perfect fit for specific needs.
What is custom-developed software?
Custom-developed software is tailor-made to fit an organization’s unique requirements.
It offers a perfect fit but can be expensive, time-consuming, and risky to develop.
What is open-source software?
Open-source software is software whose source code is available to the public for free.
Programmers can view, alter, and contribute to the source code. Examples include LibreOffice, Firefox, and MySQL.
What is a site license?
A site license is a flat fee paid by organizations to use software on all computers within a specified location.
It allows the installation of software on multiple machines without individual licenses for each computer.
What is source code?
Source code is the human-readable computer code written by programmers that defines how an application or software should function.
What is machine code?
Machine code is the compiled version of source code that a computer’s processor can directly understand and execute.
It is not readable or editable by humans.
What are the risks of custom software development?
Custom software development is risky because projects often take longer than planned, can result in cost overruns (200–300%), and are challenging to manage due to the complexity of staffing and adaptation to changing technologies.
