Application software is available in a variety of forms: packaged, custom, web-based, open source, shareware, freeware and public domain.
Packaged Software
Packaged software is an important part of the software industry. Packaged software is traditionally purchased ‘off the shelf’ and often referred to as ‘shrink wrapped’ after a common form of packaging.
It is mass produced, copyrighted retail software that meets the needs of a wide variety of users. In other words, the software functions available are common and popular to the general public.
This enable a large population to share the development cost and pay a smaller price for well designed software.
Packaged software has been widely marketed and accepted, and it is an inexpensive way to capitals on the considerable technical expertise of an established software firm.
However, these programs may not fit every user’s particular needs. Since packaged software is developed to satisfy most end users, the user interface and software documentation are very well prepared.
Microsoft Office 2007 and Adobe Photoshop are examples of packaged software.
Packaged software definition
