Distinguish between general purpose and special purpose software, with examples.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

1 · Define application software. Programs that help users do tasks, unlike system software, which runs the computer.
2 · General purpose software. Used for many tasks by many users: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access. Usually an off-the-shelf package.
3 · Special purpose software. Built for one task or industry: payroll, hotel reservations, core banking. Often tailor-made (bespoke).
4 · Compare them.
- Cost: package low, bespoke high.
- Fit: package general, bespoke exact.
- Time: package immediate, bespoke months.
5 · Sri Lankan business example. A small Kandy shop keeps accounts in Excel; a bank runs a core banking system.

Scoring tip: A small comparison table scores well in a 5-mark answer.