Application software consists of programs that direct computers to perform specific information processing activities for end-users. These programs are called application packages because they direct the processing required for a particular use, or application, which users want to perform. Thousands of application packages are available because there are thousands of different jobs end-users want computers to do.

Kinds of Application Software:

Application software includes a variety of programs that can be subdivided into general-purpose and application-specific categories.

1. General-Purpose Application Programs: 

General-purpose applications packages are programs that perform common information processing jobs for end users. For example, word processing programs, electronic spreadsheet programs, database management programs, graphics programs, communications programs and many other sales for general purposes.

This packaged software is also called off-the-shelf software packages because these products are packaged and available for sale. Many features are common to most of the packaged programs.

2. Application-Specific Software:

Many application programs are available to support specific applications of the end-users. Business Application Programs and Scientific Application Programs are a few application-specific software. There are so many other application areas also, such as educate on, music, art, medicine, etc.