(1) For software that creates application programs, see
software platform.
(2) Any application that can be or must be extended with add-on modules or custom software can be considered a platform. Almost any type of software can be an application platform if it is extensible. For example, Facebook is an application platform because it can be enhanced with third-party apps.
Cloud Computing
The term may imply cloud computing because the server hardware and software provide the platform for applications to run in. See
cloud computing.
Platform vs. Stack
An application "platform" implies specific software, whereas an application "stack" implies the major applications used in a company. See
application stack,
software platform,
hardware platform and
platform.