Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Software Issues and Discussion => Topic started by: J-Golden on June 01, 2011, 09:06:05 AM
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It seems more and more these names are being thrown around with out any clear division in the other camps. Not so much in Amigaland mind you, but it is still enough to make it confusing.
For instance, is a game a program or can it also be an App.?
I used to think Utils. were strait forward, but now that title is being used for things I wouldn't think as Utils. OR Apps.
So I thought I'd ask you all, what do you consider a Util., an App. and a Prog.? And if you can, give examples.
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I've never like applying these labels to anything really until I came onto the net last year I used to just basically call everything a program but since being on the the net I've noticed some folk call them utils and others call them apps... :confused:
So now now I tend to call them all 3 in my posts just to cover all the bases and hope that folk know what I'm talking about... ;)
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So now now I tend to call them all 3 in my posts just to cover all the bases and hope that folk know what I'm talking about... ;)
CRAP!!! Dangit Franko, if YOU don't know the difference, then I have no hope in finding out...:(
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CRAP!!! Dangit Franko, if YOU don't know the difference, then I have no hope in finding out...:(
I'm pretty sure there'll be plenty of folk who'll gladly tell you what they think an app, util or program is... :)
But to me I just prefer to call everything like that a program, cos at the end of the day that's exactly what it is, a program that someone's written... :)
Only thing I can guarantee is others will have their own view's on this subject... ;)
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It seems more and more these names are being thrown around with out any clear division in the other camps. Not so much in Amigaland mind you, but it is still enough to make it confusing.
For instance, is a game a program or can it also be an App.?
I used to think Utils. were strait forward, but now that title is being used for things I wouldn't think as Utils. OR Apps.
So I thought I'd ask you all, what do you consider a Util., an App. and a Prog.? And if you can, give examples.
A computer program is any instruction sequence for the computer to automatically perform. It's a generic term including full executables, scripts, bytecode, whole applications or just sub routines etc.
Application software is a bit different in that it has a specific application. It solves a set of problems or fulfills a set of needs related to eachother. This includes games, word processors, music players and most of the software you use consciously and actively.
Utility software can be thought of narrow-focused meta applications. They generally aid and enhance the computer system itself by performing very specific tasks. Examples include most of the stuff you get in the /bin folder in your favorite freshly installed Linux distribution.
I could just have sent you the wikipedia links, but I trimmed it down for you :)
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A computer program is any instruction sequence for the computer to automatically perform. It's a generic term including full executables, scripts, bytecode, whole applications or just sub routines etc.
Application software is a bit different in that it has a specific application. It solves a set of problems or fulfills a set of needs related to eachother. This includes games, word processors, music players and most of the software you use consciously and actively.
Utility software can be thought of narrow-focused meta applications. They generally aid and enhance the computer system itself by performing very specific tasks. Examples include most of the stuff you get in the /bin folder in your favorite freshly installed Linux distribution.
I could just have sent you the wikipedia links, but I trimmed it down for you :)
Checking Wiki I found this description:
"Utility software is a kind of system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer. A single piece of utility software is usually called a utility or tool.
Utility software should be contrasted with application software, which allows users to do things like creating text documents, playing games, listening to music or surfing the web. Rather than providing these kinds of user-oriented or output-oriented functionality, utility software usually focuses on how the computer infrastructure (including the computer hardware, operating system, application software and data storage) operates. Due to this focus, utilities are often rather technical and targeted at people with an advanced level of computer knowledge.
Most utilities are highly specialized and designed to perform only a single task or a small range of tasks. However, there are also some utility suites that combine several features in one piece of software.
Most major operating systems come with several pre-installed utilities."
I guess that the word "program" fits for both examples above. Back in the day there was just programs and games. I too find these new namings a bit confusing since I'm not used to use them. Anyway I think it describes pretty well what an application is and what a utility is.
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Never going to find a universal definition, but my 2 bits:
I would, by modern definitions consider "apps" to be limited use software on limited use devices. Such as the "app" buzzword for smartphones and tablets. I consider iWork, Angry Birds, GarageBand on iOS all "apps", despite them being very different function and purpose wise. I don't use the "app" word for anything other than when in reference to SW on content consumption "appliances" like tablets, personally.
Utilities - I'd consider a program used mainly for the manipulation, conversion, or management of data. File managers, gfx batch converters, etc. DirOpus, Windows Explorer, backup tools, etc. Utilities are what I use when I "need to get shit done" :) Utilitarian programs that facilitate getting a task accomplished.
As for Programs, I'd consider any piece of software that allows for the creation of content, media - what have you, a program.
Hell of a lot of overlap between the 3, obviously. Is ADPro a program? Sure. Is it also a utility? Absolutely.
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It seems more and more these names are being thrown around with out any clear division in the other camps. Not so much in Amigaland mind you, but it is still enough to make it confusing.
For instance, is a game a program or can it also be an App.?
I used to think Utils. were strait forward, but now that title is being used for things I wouldn't think as Utils. OR Apps.
So I thought I'd ask you all, what do you consider a Util., an App. and a Prog.? And if you can, give examples.
Why make it more confusing than what it need to be... Program is universal and I use it all the time.
I don't ever use the word Application as people put different meening to it... I for instance would say that an Application is a more complex program but the ammount of simple "apps" available are enormous. I don't use the word Tools as it's just a different word for Utilities in my book. I mostly avoid the word Utilities also but occasionaly use it as a descrition for a simple programs (especialy things like patches, tweaks and addons running in the background).
"Program" FTW!
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A program is a piece of software, inluding, but not limited to utilities, applications and games.
A utility is a program used to configure/maintain/improve the system and the operating environment.
An application is a program designed to do one or several specific tasks that isn't directly related to the system it's running on.
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Apps is just the new buzz word to describe all the many type of programs that are available for your phone/tablet device, just like the PD scene on the Amiga, Public Domain name was used, but not all programs where public domain, many where Shareware or just Rave Demos.
I still think Amiga has one of the best app sites, AmiNet, and its path names and trees are better ( http://aminet.net/tree ) I wish some one would make a slightly better front end system like maybe apples done (where people can rate programs and screenshots of programs) for it and included full commercial programs you could buy and download AmiApps it could be called.
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Apps is just the new buzz word to describe all the many type of programs that are available for your phone/tablet device, just like the PD scene on the Amiga, Public Domain name was used, but not all programs where public domain, many where Shareware or just Rave Demos.
I still think Amiga has one of the best app sites, AmiNet, and its path names and trees are better ( http://aminet.net/tree ) I wish some one would make a slightly better front end system like maybe apples done (where people can rate programs and screenshots of programs) for it and included full commercial programs you could buy and download AmiApps it could be called.
Erm... after the BS I got from the copyright mafia, then how is anyone going to be able to sell or even give away all those old commercial programs without getting shot down in flames by the whingers who'd rather see all these wonderful old pieces of software gather dust and never be available to anyone ever again... ;)
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Erm... after the BS I got from the copyright mafia, then how is anyone going to be able to sell or even give away all those old commercial programs without getting shot down in flames by the whingers who'd rather see all these wonderful old pieces of software gather dust and never be available to anyone ever again... ;)
From a technical point of view, Torrents are amongst the most efficient methods of distributing data without a centralised server.
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My take:
A program is anything from applications to utilities to games to scripts.
A Utility is a program like Directory Opus, PowerPacker, LZX, etc.
An application is a program like Brilliance, FrexxEd, Protracker, etc.
In other words, utilities are programs that help the user do things, while applications enable the user to be productive, while programs are all of these things and more.
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So why would I care what the difference is? Apps are Apps.
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So why would I care what the difference is? Apps are Apps.
The Op cares, that's good enough, isn't it?
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Never going to find a universal definition, but my 2 bits:
I would, by modern definitions consider "apps" to be limited use software on limited use devices. Such as the "app" buzzword for smartphones and tablets. I consider iWork, Angry Birds, GarageBand on iOS all "apps", despite them being very different function and purpose wise. I don't use the "app" word for anything other than when in reference to SW on content consumption "appliances" like tablets, personally.
Well, it seems to me that an "app" used to mean an application program - like a word-processor, CAD, drawing program or desk-top publishing program.
The word "app" only came to be applied to those little programs on portable devices when Apple wanted a name for its iPhone programs....and since "app" sounded a lot like their trademark name that's what they went with (you buy "apps" from the "apple store" etc.) Anyway, that's just all theory on my part. But it seems strange to me to call one of those little programs on a cell phone an app...to me an "app" or "application program" always meant those big, serious and expensive programs like the ones I've named above.
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Why don't we all just agree to call them programs... :)
Or failing that we could call them "Stuff Handy In Todays Electronics"... :)
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My take:
A program is anything from applications to utilities to games to scripts.
A Utility is a program like Directory Opus, PowerPacker, LZX, etc.
An application is a program like Brilliance, FrexxEd, Protracker, etc.
In other words, utilities are programs that help the user do things, while applications enable the user to be productive, while programs are all of these things and more.
Silly semantic argument, but I have no objections to the definitions given above by Thorham. Makes as much sense as any other definition.
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My take:
A program is anything from applications to utilities to games to scripts.
A Utility is a program like Directory Opus, PowerPacker, LZX, etc.
An application is a program like Brilliance, FrexxEd, Protracker, etc.
In other words, utilities are programs that help the user do things, while applications enable the user to be productive, while programs are all of these things and more.
I agree with this. And applications are usually big and probably commercial programs (not games) and utilities are smaller more limited programs for certain narrow sector uses. It's how it's been traditionally, but as we know terms use to change with new generations.. intentionally, by mistake or just because of plain ignorance :)
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The more interesting question to Amiga users is: what goes into the "tools" and what into the "utilities"-drawer?
But to clear the terminology - here is my take:
Program emphasizes on the technology used to crete the solution. Other words that belong to the same category are: script, webpage, diagram, algorithm.
App or application is a kind of program that was written for the end user that is linked to something in the real world. Applications create images, letters calculate your taxes or your horoscope, let you access your addresses and store them, etc.
A utility will usually not do any real work but help you dealing with information. Examples should be clocks, webbrowsers but also installers and the unix man command.
Tools are closely related to utilities. They are generally useful and productive, but are only producing intermediate results that you may use to get the most out of your application software. This is IconEd, Caculator, and most of the Unix commands.
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my take on it:
A program is set of instructions followed by a computer.
Programs can be:
1. An App (short for application) is a long program, with frequently many features and options in carrying out a specific task, and is not a game.
2. A utility which is a shorter program with a more limited and specific feature set, and is also not a game.
3. Game- a program for entertainment.
4. Driver -a program that allows hardware to function.
As the above suggests, i don't regard games as Apps or utilities. Games belong in the own category of computer programs
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This thread is too long. If we can't agree with the dictionary definition, nothing good can come out of it.
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This thread is too long. If we can't agree with the dictionary definition, nothing good can come out of it.
Erm... and why exactly is this thread too long... :confused:
and why should everyone have to agree with a dictionary definition !!! after all the words in there had to be made up by someone to start with and who's to say that "someone" was right in the first place... ;)
Good can always come from a nice healthy debate or argument, you just have to open your mind a wee bit to see it... :)
Just sayin like... :)
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Erm... and why exactly is this thread too long... :confused:
Very small information/posts ratio,
and why should everyone have to agree with a dictionary definition !!!
I never said that you have to. I said that if you don't agree with it, there is not much to discuss. You are just stating your opinion based on some anecdotal experiences.
after all the words in there had to be made up by someone to start with and who's to say that "someone" was right in the first place... ;)
I don't think that the words are loosely defined enough to warrant the sort of discussion we've seen in this thread. Most differences in interpretation are based on misconceptions.
Good can always come from a nice healthy debate or argument, you just have to open your mind a wee bit to see it... :)
Let's discuss eggs. In my opinion, eggs include boxes, elephants and socks. What are eggs for you?
The most interesting post here is the one asking what goes into "tools" and what goes into "utilities" :). That's an interesting overlap. But asking what is an application and what is a utility? That's a straight question for one looking to inform herself, not food for thought or material for debate.