If we take a holistic view of computers as well as computer technology, then at one level concept of application packaging can be considered to be very ironic. It can be termed ironic because on one hand we humans use computers to provide solutions for all our problems. We use computers for doing or accomplishing all those tasks that we ourselves cannot do at same speed. But over here computers are again becoming completely dependent on human intelligence and ingenuity to ensure that computers keep functioning in a smooth and flawless manner to help humans only, in turn.
To understand above made assertion in a better manner it is important for one to understand and gain knowledge about computer and computer technology in a little more detail. To begin with it is very much important to understand that computers do not have any intelligence of their own. They all work on artificial intelligence that is created for and supplied to them by human agencies. Softwares are important because they are agencies by means of which artificial intelligence is transferred to computers. Software is a set of programs that instruct computers to understand instructions that are given to it by its user as well as to complete tasks given to it according to instructions given to it by its user. Problem in this matter is that single software can enable a computer to perform only one or two tasks. But it does not make any sense to have a computer if it can handle only a couple of tasks. Now to make a computer accomplish a varied type and number of tasks more software is required to be installed in that computer. This where a major problem lies and this could be solved with help of application packaging.
Over here, problem with softwares that is being talked about is compatibility between softwares. While many types of software are required, they all might not be compatible with each other. And if they are not compatible with each other they will not prevent each other from executing their tasks as a result of which performance of computer will suffer. Application packaging solves this problem in a simple manner. Scientists dealing with computer softwares analyze various softwares and find out which softwares are absolutely essential for a particular computer. After doing that they go on to create a group of essential softwares keeping in mind that all softwares in that group should be compatible with each other. After doing that these groups of softwares, which are also known as application packages, are subjected to further tests under simulated real life conditions to find out if they are perfect or if some flaws have crept into them, in which case they are corrected. And this whole process of creating these application packages is known to us as application packaging.
And application packaging is of much help to end users, especially to corporate ones, as it prevents their computers from malfunctioning because of incompatibility between softwares and thus prevents wastage of their precious manpower as well as time.