An application program (sometimes shortened to application)
is any program
designed to perform a specific function directly for the user or, in some cases, for another
application program. Examples of application programs include word processors; database programs;
Web browsers; development tools; drawing, paint, and image editing programs; and communication
programs. Application programs use the services of the computer's operating
system and other supporting programs. The formal requests for services and means of
communicating with other programs that a programmer uses in writing an application program is
called the application program interface (API).
This was last updated in December 2000
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