What is an example of general purpose?

7. General Purpose Applications Software

A general purpose application, sometimes known as ‘off-the-shelf’ is the sort of software that you use at home and school.  Examples include word processors, spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing packages, graphics packages etc.

This type of software tries to be a ‘jack-of-all-trades’.  It provides many features that the majority of users will want e.g. formatting text, creating charts, organising tables.  But it does try to be’ all things to all people’ and so there will be a vast number of features that you may never use e.g. statistical functions, mail merge.  This makes the storage size of these applications fairly large.

There are several good reasons for using general purpose software:

  • It is relatively cheap
  • It is easily available from most computer shops
  • It will have been thoroughly tested so there won’t be any serious problems or bugs
  • There will be lots of user support i.e. books, user guides, online help and discussion forums on the Internet
Examples of use:

Word processing application - writing reports, memos, letters to customers

Spreadsheet application - keeping simple company accounts, calculating employee commission payments, simple stock control system, modelling

Database application - keeping customer records, sales records, appointments system

Desktop publishing application - creating leaflets, posters, business cards

Presentation software - creating presentations to show to customers or staff

Graphics application - manipulating images that can be used at home, school or a business

Web design application - creating personal or business websites

challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you

Click on this link: General Purpose Software

Updated: 08/16/2021 by

What is an example of general purpose?

A general-purpose computer is a description of a computer capable of performing many different tasks rather than a specific one like a special-purpose computer. For example, the computer you're using now to read this web page is a general-purpose computer. In addition to browsing the Internet, you can play a game, write a letter in a word processor, and other tasks.

Having a general-purpose computer allows the user to do whatever they want to do with it. However, because a general-purpose computer can do more than a special-purpose computer, it's more complex, more difficult to manufacture, and costs more.

Computer, Hardware terms, Internet browser

Examples of general purpose software are spreadsheets, data processors, desktop publishing software, databases and statistics applications. Other software includes bookkeeping software, communication packages, Web-design packages, and graphics and drawing software.

Also referred to as generic programs, a general-purpose software is designed for the general use of ordinary computer users. The software is popular and is most commonly used in schools, colleges, hospitals, businesses, industries and other commercial centers.

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Outlook are examples of general purpose software. One of the biggest advantages of this type of software is that, unlike specialized software, it is cheap and easily available from most local computer software shops. The fact that the software has been used for a long time means developers update it from time to time. For example, modern data processors are more improved than those used a decade ago. Another benefit is that general purpose software comes with support for the user in terms of guides, books, online help and user discussion platforms on the Internet.

Utility software includes computer backup programs, anti-virus programs and disk checkers. The software is customized to perform certain duties of a specific company. They are produced where general purpose software cannot do the functions desired by a particular company.

MORE FROM REFERENCE.COM

Examples of General purpose equipment in a sentence

  • See §200.12 Capital assets, §200.20 Computing devices, §200.48 General purpose equipment, §200.58 Information technology systems, §200.89 Special purpose equipment, and §200.94 Supplies.


More Definitions of General purpose equipment

General purpose equipment means items such as, but not limited to, work related tools, computer packages (e.g. desktop or laptop computer, power source, memory, monitor, disk drives, video and sound cards, speakers, printers, scanners, fax/modems, surge protectors), mobile phones, tablets, audio and video equipment, durable medical equipment, etc. that are not customized to meet an individual’s specific disability- related needs.

What are the 3 general purposes?

Modern public speaking scholars use three general purpose types: to inform, to persuade, and to entertain.

What is an example of a specific purpose statement?

Your Specific Statement of Purpose As an example, “My specific purpose is to persuade the students in my residence hall to protest the proposed housing cost increase” is a specific statement of purpose, while “My speech will be about why we should protest the proposed housing cost increase” is not.

What is a specific purpose statement?

A specific purpose statement builds on your general purpose (to inform) and makes it more specific (as the name suggests). So if your first speech is an informative speech, your general purpose will be to inform your audience about a very specific realm of knowledge.

What are the four purposes of speech?

The four basic types of speeches are: to inform, to instruct, to entertain, and to persuade. These are not mutually exclusive of one another. You may have several purposes in mind when giving your presentation.