Applications
A computer application is a program or group of programs designed to provide a particular solution to business requirements, end user needs, and/or technical requirements. End user applications can run as standalone applications and/or via a network. Let us analyze one example: you decide to purchase another copy of this book from an on-line store. The application involved could include:
Firmware included in your computer
Your computer's operating system
Your web browser
The Internet (defined as a collection of networks)
The target web servers that receive your request
Server operating systems
Middleware software that connects to the transaction services
The transaction software
Databases
Directories
Support software (backup, disaster recovery, monitoring, and reporting)
Shipping applications
As you can see, there are many different systems involved with network-based computing. These systems can translate into several different languages, and can cross the world. There are thousands of...
