Util. Vs App. Vs Prog.

[Thorham]

So why would I care what the difference is?  Apps are Apps.

The Op cares, that's good enough, isn't it?

[Ral-Clan]

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.

[Franko]

Why don't we all just agree to call them programs...

Or failing that we could call them "Stuff Handy In Todays Electronics"...

[amigadave]

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.

[pVC]

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

[lsmart]

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.

[stefcep2]

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

[Linde]

This thread is too long. If we can't agree with the dictionary definition, nothing good can come out of it.

[Franko]

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...

[Linde]

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.