application software

• application software that performs a task to benefit the user
• Applications can be divided into categories: General purpose, Special purpose and Bespoke
• Ready made software available to anyone to purchase is known as off the shelf software
• Software that is custom created for a specific user is known as bespoke software
• Bespoke software is mostly used by businesses rather than individuals
• Open source software allows anyone to access its source code the software is open source licensed but free to use
• freeware - software that is free for anyone to use but the source code is not available
• Closed source (or ‘proprietary’) software does not allow access to source code users must pay the person or company who owns the copyright for a license to use the software