Perusohjelmat

Perusohjelmat are a set of essential software applications that form the basic toolkit for computer users. They are designed for everyday tasks and provide the foundational functionality needed in education, work, and home use. In practice, perusohjelmat typically include categories such as word processors, spreadsheets, presentation programs, and email clients. Additional common components are web browsers, file management tools, image and audio/video editors, media players, and simple database or note-taking applications. Security and maintenance tools, such as antivirus or backup utilities, are often included as part of a basic software set, particularly in institutional contexts.

The concept is used especially in education and public sector procurement to define a minimum viable software stack that supports digital literacy and productivity. The exact composition of perusohjelmat can vary by country, institution, and license terms, and may be provided as standalone products or as bundled suites (free or paid). Interoperability is typically emphasized through use of widely adopted document formats and cross-platform availability, enabling seamless sharing across devices and users.

In Finland and other Nordic contexts, perusohjelmat are often referenced in discussions of digital competence and school curricula, with attention to Finnish language support and accessibility. The term does not denote a single standardized list, but rather a pragmatic category describing the essential, everyday software that people are expected to know how to use.