A computer application, also known as an application program, software application, or app, is a type of computer program designed to perform a specific task for end-users. Applications can manipulate text, numbers, audio, graphics, and a combination of these elements, depending on the activity for which they were designed. They can be self-contained or a group of programs, and they use the computers operating system and other supporting programs, typically system software, to function. Applications can be bundled with the computer and its system software or published separately and may be coded as proprietary, open-source, or projects. The term "app" usually refers to applications for mobile devices such as phones.

When you open an application, it runs inside the operating system until you close it. Most of the time, you will have more than one application open at the same time, which is known as multi-tasking. Applications can vary in many ways, including how theyre built, what platform they run on, whether they are open source or proprietary, or for which market they are used. Some examples of applications include word processors, media players, accounting software, web browsers, and communication platforms.

Computer applications work in partnership with the rest of a computer’s software, and they require system software, for example, to run and work as expected. Applications and apps are essentially the same thing, but apps are more commonly associated with mobile devices like phones and tablets. Business application software is a subset of the application software, built to facilitate certain business functions and improve the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of operations by saving time and enhancing productivity.