Lotus 1-2-3


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Lotus 1-2-3

Lotus 1-2-3 was an integrated spreadsheet, database, and graphics program that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is considered one of the first killer apps that helped establish the personal computer as a viable business tool.

What does Lotus 1-2-3 mean?

Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet, database, and graphics software suite introduced by Lotus Software in 1983. It was the first successful spreadsheet program for personal computers and one of the “killer applications” that popularized the use of PCs in businesses.

1-2-3 combined the Functionality of several different programs into one integrated package. This made it easier for users to perform a variety of tasks, such as Creating budgets, analyzing data, and generating reports. 1-2-3 was also one of the first programs to feature a graphical user interface (GUI), which made it easier for users to navigate the program.

1-2-3 quickly became a popular choice for businesses, and by the mid-1980s, it was the best-selling software program for PCs. However, it eventually lost market share to Microsoft Excel, which was released in 1985.

Applications

1-2-3 was used for a variety of applications in businesses, including:

  • Financial analysis: 1-2-3 was used to create budgets, track expenses, and Analyze financial data.
  • Data management: 1-2-3 was used to create and manage databases of customer information, inventory, and other data.
  • Report generation: 1-2-3 was used to generate reports from data in spreadsheets and databases.
  • Graphics: 1-2-3 could be used to create charts, graphs, and other visuals.

1-2-3 is still used today, although it has been largely replaced by Excel. However, 1-2-3 remains an important program in technology history, as it was one of the first successful spreadsheet programs and helped to popularize the use of PCs in businesses.

History

1-2-3 was developed by a team led by Mitchell Kapor at Lotus Development Corporation. The program was originally called Symphony, but it was renamed to 1-2-3 before its Release.

1-2-3 was released in 1983 and quickly became a popular choice for businesses. The program was praised for its ease of use, its powerful features, and its affordable price. 1-2-3 was also one of the first programs to feature a GUI, which made it easier for users to navigate the program.

1-2-3 was updated several times over the years, and new versions of the program were released in 1985, 1987, and 1989. The final version of 1-2-3, version 5.0, was released in 1995.

1-2-3 was eventually replaced by Microsoft Excel, which was released in 1985. Excel offered more features than 1-2-3, and it was more compatible with other Microsoft products. As a result, Excel quickly gained market share and became the dominant spreadsheet program.

However, 1-2-3 remains an important program in technology history. It was one of the first successful spreadsheet programs, and it helped to popularize the use of PCs in businesses.