Post 7: Tech Topic Connection

As the world progresses in the digital age, computer applications continue to be the heart of modern life. Computer applications connect complex systems and user needs, allowing us to do things such as communicate with others, manage finances, create and edit documents and presentations, run businesses, and educate ourselves with the help of others. They are essential to everyday life. Digital solutions are changing how users operate, which is why it is crucial that the responsibilities of computer applications relating to information technology are understood. The importance of computer applications lies in their ability to support communication, productivity, and innovation, making IT essential in our daily lives.

Computer applications are software for tasks such as presentations, word processing, graphics software, Google Chrome, and multimedia software. Without computer applications, you are left with operating systems and system software, essential components of computers and information systems. But on their own, they leave the end user, you, with a device that doesn’t do a whole lot (Brooks, 2023).

One of the topics I chose to learn more about in the week 3 assignment was careers in IT, which is why I chose to relate this question to it; Computer science courses aim to deepen your theoretical knowledge and push you towards innovation, whereas computer applications courses are designed to impact your practice skills, to help you deal with real-world business problems (Zara, 2025). Computer science includes everything from designing software for self-driving cars to building secure systems for banks. The field of computer science is vast and covers theories in computer science, software engineering, and information technology, while computer applications are the design and development of various software applications (Zara, 2025). Computer science and applications are a part of information technology; they are related.

Computer software is the software you can use, but computer applications rely on hardware to run smoothly. For example, if you are using a word processing application, or have a presentation due for school and need to save your work, you need space in your storage. RAM storage is crucial for a smooth-running application, also. A good amount of RAM allows for applications to load up quickly, preventing lag and helping you finish your work in a respectable amount of time.

Computer applications rely on programming; without programming, there would be no computer applications. Computer programmers develop things from scratch; they are responsible for entering the code that allows the application to run. A programmer's goal is to create a working application, web page, or piece of computer software. If something goes wrong, the programmer searches for the error and finds the correct fix (Team, 2021).

It is important to know that application software is made for a specific operating system (TestOut Corp, 2024). Basic IM software lets you easily send text messages, photos, and files between smartphones. Gmail is an example of Software as a Service (SaaS), which many people choose over the app version. Application software is crucial in the usefulness of computer applications.

Computer applications rely on database management to store and retrieve data. Databases allow users to safely store information that may be needed later, such as banking information or passwords. They store book titles on your favorite library application and store tickets and information regarding a train or plane ride.

Computer applications were my chosen topic because they are something that people use on a day-to-day basis. When we open these applications, we don't think of all the underlying things involved, like the programming and software, the databases, the hardware components needed to make them run, and the hard work involved by those who could make it happen. Many use computer applications, and we expect them to work smoothly and in a timely fashion so tasks needed for work, school, or other things required in life, such as banking or writing a special letter to someone through Microsoft Word, are completed in time. Database management systems are used in healthcare, social media sites, security, telecommunication, manufacturing, and broadcast communications (GeeksforGeeks, 2024). Choosing computer applications has given me more insight into what we do not see.

In conclusion, computer applications play a pivotal role in how we go about our daily lives. They are responsible for many things, and we depend on many layers that we do not see to make them work. While I am thankful for computer applications, I am thankful for information technology and computer science. 

References

Brooks, R. (2023, August 15). What are computer applications? - North Wales Management School - Wrexham University. North Wales Management School - Wrexham University. https://online.wrexham.ac.uk/what-are-computer-applications/

GeeksforGeeks. (2024, December 28). Application of DBMS. GeeksforGeeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/dbms/application-of-dbms/

Team, M. B. (2021, November 16). Computer Programming and its Applications: A Basic guide. https://www.mooc.org/blog/applications-of-computer-programming

TestOut Corp. (2024). CertMaster Learn Tech+. http://www.testout.com

Zara, S. (2025, January 8). Computer Science vs Computer Application: Explained | KAHE. Karpagam Academy of Higher Education. https://kahedu.edu.in/difference-between-computer-application-and-computer-science-explained/