Application

The word application has several uses.

Medicine

In medicine, application means putting some drug or ointment usually on the skin where it is absorbed into the human body.

Computers

When dealing with computers, an application is the type of computer program. At the direction of some user, perhaps set up once and executed many times, this performs the well-defined mathematical or communications function, or retrieves information, or displays or edits the document. How well this works depends not only on the code of the program, but also on the operating system and physical attributes of the computer such as how fast its processor is and how much memory is available.

Physically, the bits making up the application can be on the boot device or the data device, or the device of air own. Usually, some basic applications like the text editor, file browser and telnet do go on the boot device to be sure that ay are always available even if only the boot is accessed. If the bits are on the non-boot device, ay may not always be found when required. In the Microsoft Windows operating system, the user may be asked to find the application that is used to run the specific file.

Common types of applications available free of charge include web browsers, email programs, media players, and instant messaging software.

See also

• Software
• Computer program

Business

In business or government, an application is the (usually paper) form filled out and handed in by the person seeking the privilege from the state or company, such as work, credit, some type of license or permit, or the place to live.

Engineering

At work, generally engineering, when dealing with certain materials or objects, an application is the purpose you can use that material or object for. Wood and steel have many applications.