Lesson-
3
APPLICATIONS
What
is an application?
You
may have heard people talking about using an application or an app.
But what exactly does that mean? An application (or app) is a
type of software that allows you to perform specific tasks. Applications
for desktop or laptop computers are sometimes called desktop applications,
and those for mobile devices are called mobile apps. When you open an
application, it runs inside the operating system until you close it.
Much of the time, you will have more than one application open at the same
time, and this is known as multitasking.
App
is a very common term for an application, especially for simple
applications that can be downloaded cheaply or even for free.
Many apps are also available for mobile devices and even some TVs.
Types
of Desktop Applications
There
are countless desktop applications out there, and they fall into many different
categories. Some are more full-featured (like Microsoft Word),
while others may only do one or two things (like gadgets). Below
are just a few
types of applications that you might use:
- Word Processors:
A word processor allows you to write a letter, design a flyer, and create
many other kinds of documents. The most well-known word processor is Microsoft
Word.
- Personal Finance:
Personal finance software, such as Quicken, allows you to keep
track of your income and expenses, create a budget, and more. Most
personal finance programs can automatically download information from your
bank, so you don't have to manually type in all of your transactions.
- Web Browsers:
A web browser is the tool that you use to access the World Wide
Web. Most computers come with a web browser pre-installed, but
you can also download a different one if you prefer. Examples of browsers
include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome,
and Safari.
- Games:
There are many different games that you can play on your computer. They
range from card games such as Solitaire, to action games like Halo
2. Many action games require a lot of computing power, so they
may not work unless you have a newer computer.
- Media Players:
If you want to listen to mp3s or watch movies that you've
downloaded, you'll need to use a media player. Windows Media
Player and iTunes are popular media players.
- Gadgets:
Sometimes called widgets, these are simple applications that you
can place on your desktop (or on the Dashboard if you're using a
Mac). There are many different types of gadgets, and they include calendars,
calculators, maps, news headlines, and more.
Installing
Desktop Applications
In
order to work, an application usually has to be installed on your
computer. Typically, installation is as simple as inserting the installation
disc and following the instructions on the screen. For software that is downloaded
from the internet, you can usually double-click it after it is
finished downloading, and then follow the instructions on the screen. Many
applications include a readme file (for example, readme.txt),
which includes installation instructions and other information.
Use
caution when downloading software, as it can contain viruses or other
malware. If you have an antivirus program, you should scan the
downloaded software before installing it.
Opening
Files with Applications
Many
applications are designed to open one or more types of files (or file
formats). For example, Microsoft Word can create and edit Word
documents. If you don't have the right kind of application, you won't be
able to open a file. There are two main ways to open a file:
Find
the file on your computer, and double click it. This
will open the file using the default program.
Double-clicking
a file to open it
Open
the application, then use the application to open the file.
Once the application is open, you can go to the File menu at the top of
the screen and select Open. This is useful because some files can be
opened by several different applications, and this method allows you to choose
which application to use.
Opening
a file within Microsoft Word
If
you're not sure what a file's format is, you can look at the extension
at the end of the file name (for example .docx, .txt, or .jpg).
On some computers, the extension may be hidden, and you may need to look
at the icon to determine the file format.
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