Definition

application

1) In information technology, an application is the use of a technology, system, or product.

2) The term application is a shorter form of application program. An application program is a program designed to perform a specific function directly for the user or, in some cases, for another application program. Examples of applications include word processors, database programs, Web browsers, development tools, drawing, paint, image editing programs, and communication programs. Applications use the services of the computer's operating system and other supporting applications. The formal requests and means of communicating with other programs that an application program uses is called the application program interface (API).

Contributor(s): Don Rose
This was last updated in February 2007
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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