Applications

Applications are programs. Most of the applications you use for your work are large, complex applications like word processors, spreadsheets, or databases. Many applications are installed when your system is installed. You can install a new application when you need it. Installing applications is discussed later in this chapter.

Different Linux distributions include different software, hundreds or thousands of applications. The distribution defines a default set of software to install. You can modify the set during installation, installing more, fewer, or different applications.

Most distributions install a set of common applications. The Linux commands are installed. Utilities for administering your system are installed. A desktop is usually installed. Certain types of applications are installed, although different distributions may select different specific applications. For instance, all applications will install a text editor, but might install different text editors. Most distributions include a word processor, usually OpenOffice, and a graphics application, usually Gimp.

An application is a program, or group of programs, so it's started by typing a program name. When you click a menu item or an icon to start an application, the program name is sent to Linux. For instance, when you click OpenOffice Writer on the menu, oowriter, the name of the program, is sent to Linux.

You can add or remove applications on the main menu. Right-click the main menu icon and select Menu Editor. The window on the right displays, with the current menu in the left pane.

To add an application, highlight the location where you want the new item and click New Item. In the Command field, type the path/program name or browse to the program that is to run when this menu item is selected. You can select an icon by clicking the ? button on the right. If you want a desktop icon that starts the application, you can drag the newly added menu item onto the desktop.