What can you do with the computer? As a beginner, there are a few things you may do with a computer. You can do things like:

• Listen to music
• Watch movies
• Play games
• Send emails
• Create paintings, and
• Search for information online

But when you master the computer, its applications are endless. Today, we’ll look at the various application of computers.

What you’ll need the computer for will depend on your career. No matter what your career is, or would be, it is important you understand which programs will be useful to you.

This will help you to focus on learning such programs rather than scrambling from one program to another and getting lost in the process. Certainly, no matter your field or profession, there are basic applications that you must learn. They include word processing, spreadsheets, email management, and presentation apps.

Let me walk you through the application of computers and programs associated with such professions. But note the following:

• There may be numerous software available for one career. E.g., in programming, you can use C, C++, C#, Java, Python, Go, etc.
• A profession may require you to master more than one software at the same time
• As the years pass, new software is released while existing ones are upgraded
• Try to identify the software applicable to your field at all times

Understanding the applications associated with different professions will help you choose a career path early in life. Also, it will help you focus and acquire relevant IT skills that will help you excel above your mates.

Let us kick-off.

Application of Computers

Printing and Publishing

This field deals with the process that ensures that text and images appear on paper and digital media. It is a field that typesets, designs, and produces printed works like letters, memos, booklets, newspapers, magazines, etc. It is generally called desktop publishing.

To become an expert in this field, you will learn and master word processing and graphic design applications. There are many such apps, but you can start with Microsoft Word, Scribus, CorelDraw, Inkscape, Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher, etc.

Graphics Designing

This field handles all forms of visual communication. They tend to communicate ideas and information using graphics and images. It is a complex field that includes visual arts, web designing, user experience designing, and motion graphics or animations.

However, you can specialize in any of these fields and become an expert in graphic arts, web designing, or animations. There are different apps for each of these areas of specialization.

Graphic arts – entails creating and editing images and illustrations. To advance, you can learn the following: Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, Sketch, Adobe Illustrator, GIMP, Inkscape, Affinity designer, etc.

For UI/UX (user interface/ user experience) design – creating what users see and how they interact with a product or app. Learn applications like Adobe XD, InVision Studio, Sketch, Webflow, Proto.io, etc.

Web designing – creating and designing websites and web applications. You must learn HTML, CSS, and JS coding. Then, WordPress, Bootstrap, Dreamweaver, Wix, Site123, etc.

Animations – use moving images to explain ideas or entertain an audience. Software that can be learned includes Blender, Maya, Animaker, Pencil2D, Stop Motion, OpenToonz, etc.

Data analysis

This is the process of working with data in other to discover useful information and make relevant decisions. This field is important for businesses and organizations. It involves data mining, analytics, and visualizations.

Some software that can be used includes Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power BI, R programming, Python, SAS, Tableau, Hadoop, SQL, Apache Spark, etc.

Data Science

In data science, correct questions relating to a business or products are asked. Then raw data drawn from the business or organization is analyzed to answer the questions and make strategic planning and insightful decisions.

Though a lot is involved, some computer applications to master include R, SQL, Python, Hadoop, Apache spark, RapidMiner, etc.

Medicine

This is the act of taking care of sick people. It involves diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prevention, and palliation. In all, it tries to keep the human body healthy.

Medical science is broad and covers specialized areas such as anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

Anatomy – looks at the structure and organization of the human body. Some important apps relevant for medical students and professionals include Anatomy 3D, complete anatomy, 3D Human anatomy, iMuscle, etc.

Physiology – looks at the mechanism of the components of an organism and how they work. As a student, the following software can be of help. Virtual physiology, blood physiology, etc

Pathology – looks at the cause and effect of a disease or an injury. Some software includes Image J, Qupath, Ilastik, cell profiler, etc.

Generally, there are software and platforms you can use to manage patients’ data in hospitals and clinics. Some include Kareo EHR, CareCloud, SoftClinic, etc.

Mechanical engineering

This field involves all systems that help in creating technologies that help humans. It involves designing, developing, building, and testing machines. They fabricate tools and combine them to build a machine that assists man in his work. Hence, it involves a high level of creativity.

Some of the relevant software used in mechanical engineering design include Autodesk Moldflow, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, Cimatron, etc.

Other areas of computer applications

Apart from the fields specified above, virtually every field of human endeavor uses one software to drive productivity and efficiency. Check out the following fields:

Networking – a process of exchanging resources among computers. Relevant software includes LogicMonitor, Datadog, ConnectWise, etc. However, to become a network engineer you will need to undergo training to acquire N+ and Cisco certifications.

Database management – an organized collection of data in tables and rows to enable easy query and retrieval. The software includes MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Amazon RDS, Knack, etc

Video editing – create and edit videos and video slideshows. Some relevant software is Open short, Adobe premiere pro, Pinnacle Studio, Corel VideoStudio, Nero video, etc.

Quality control – a system of defining, managing, and maintaining defined standards for products. The software includes iAuditor, Odoo, Qualio, Novade, etc

Electrical engineering – a branch of engineering that deals with the study, design, and application of equipment, devices, and systems that use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. Some relevant software is MATLAB, Simulink, AutoCAD Electrical, SCADA software, etc.

Building Technology – This involves designing, creating, developing, and management of building constructions. Some relevant software includes AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Civil 3D, CATIA, Revit, etc.

Security and surveillance – an act of monitoring a place, activity, or person to guarantee safety. Some software includes NetCam studio, Any cam, Xeoma, Security eye, iVideon, etc 

Banking  – provision of banking services to clients and customers. Relevant software include Oracle Flexcube, Temenos transact, Finastra, EBanq, Avaloq, Mambu, etc

Geology – deals with the study of the earth and its structure. Application software includes the following: Datamine, Micromine, Geovia Surpac, MapInfo Pro, etc.

Conclusion

The application of computers goes beyond the above list. However, looking at the above fields, identify where you fall into. Better still, choose a career path and pursue it with the knowledge of the relevant software to beat the competition.