TechKnowSurge
CompTIA Tech+ 3.1 CompTIA Tech+ 3.3 CompTIA A+ Core 2 1.8 CompTIA Tech+ 3.6 Cisco CCST IT 4.5
TechKnowSurge Catalog Videos DEMO: Applications
VideoComputeFree

DEMO: Applications

Applications are programs that run on a computer to help users accomplish specific tasks, from creating documents to working with graphics or playing games. This content breaks down the distinction between system software and applications using hands-on examples in Windows.

⚑ Complete this video to capture a CTF flag worth 1 point.

About this video

Software on any computer generally falls into two broad categories: system software, which keeps the underlying operating system running, and applications, which are programs that help users perform specific tasks. At its core, an application is simply a program — and that definition is broad enough to include everything from word processors and graphic design tools to games and productivity utilities. Recognizing this helps clarify how all software, regardless of its purpose, shares the same fundamental nature as a set of executable instructions. Practical examples make this concept concrete. WordPad is a word processing application built into Windows that allows users to create letters, resumes, newsletters, and other text-based documents. Paint is a graphics application for working with images and drawings. Solitaire is a game — and while its purpose is entertainment rather than productivity, it is still an application in the technical sense. What these programs share is a common function: each one enables the user to accomplish a defined goal, which is precisely what distinguishes applications as a category of software.

What you'll learn

What's covered

Applications Overview

Aligned to

CompTIA Tech+
3.1 Explain the purpose of operating systems.
3.3 Explain the purpose and proper use of software.
3.6 Compare and contrast general application concepts and uses.
CompTIA A+ Core 2
1.8 Explain common OS types and their purposes.
Cisco CCST IT
4.5 Assist users in resolving common application issues

Key terms

System Software
Software that manages core computer functions and hardware resources — including the operating system, drivers, and utilities — providing the foundation on which application software runs.
Application Software
Programs designed to help users accomplish specific tasks — such as word processing, data analysis, or graphic design — that run on top of the operating system rather than managing hardware directly.
Operating System
OS
System software that manages hardware resources, provides common services for application software, and acts as an intermediary between users and computer hardware. Examples include Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Word Processor
An application designed to create, edit, format, and save text-based documents such as letters and reports; it is one of the most common categories of productivity software.
Graphics Editor
An application used to create and manipulate images and visual content on a computer.

Topics

Operating Systems Application Software System Software Windows Word Processors Graphics Editors

Transcript

One thing that comes with your operating system is different applications.

System software versus applications

I like to break down software into two different categories: system software, the things that help run your computers, and applications, the things that we actually do on the computer, the thing that makes us productive, or entertains us, or whatever it is that we're trying to achieve from using our computer.

But that's not exactly what the case is. An application is actually just a program. Your operating system is made up of programs. It has utilities on it; those are programs. So you can think of applications as being programs on your computer. But there are some programs that are on your computer that help us carry out certain functions, things like word processors.

WordPad

So here I am on a Windows machine, and what I'm going to do is open up the Windows menu and type in WordPad. WordPad is a program that is a word processor. Word processor is a type of program; the name of this program is WordPad.

This allows us to create Word documents, or documents that have words, like a letter. Or if we want to create a newsletter, or if we want to create a resume, or if we just want to document certain things, we can use WordPad to do it. So this right here is an application. It helps us perform a task. If I want to write a letter, then I pull this up to write a letter.

Paint

Another application is the Paint program. I'm going to pull up the Windows menu and type in paint and bring this up, and this is a drawing program. If I want to work with graphics, this is one of the programs that I can use to work with graphics.

Games

Another example of an application would be games. So I'm going to bring up Solitaire, and in Solitaire this is a game that I can play on this computer just to have a good time.

All of these really have that common theme of helping me perform some sort of action, perform some sort of job, some sort of task.

About TechKnowSurge

TechKnowSurge builds IT and cybersecurity professionals through hands-on, concept-first training built around real understanding — not memorization. Free interactive tools, structured programs, and 25+ years of real-world experience, all in one place.

Explore free tools and programs →