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2. Off-the-shelf software
‘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.
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, modeling
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 web sites
| Reasons to use off-the-shelf software: |
|---|
| It is relatively cheap, especially when compared to custom written software |
| 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 |
Challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you
Click on this link: Off-the-shelf software