Tell me about Lotus 1-2-3 and its impact on software industry Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet software program developed by Lotus Software (later acquired by IBM). It was released in 1983 and quickly became one of the most popular applications in the early days of personal computers. Lotus 1-2-3 was designed for financial and business professionals to create, analyze, and manage spreadsheets. One of the key features that set Lotus 1-2-3 apart from its competitors was its integration of three main components: spreadsheet, charting/graphing, and database management. This integration allowed users to perform complex calculations, create charts and graphs, and organize data in a single application. It was also one of the first spreadsheet programs to introduce the concept of cell referencing, which made it easier to create formulas and perform calculations. The impact of Lotus 1-2-3 on the software industry was significant. Here are some key points: 1. Popularization of spreadsheets: Lotus 1-2-3 played a crucial role in popularizing the use of spreadsheets for business purposes. It introduced many professionals to the concept and benefits of using electronic spreadsheets instead of traditional paper-based methods. 2. Dominance in the market: Lotus 1-2-3 quickly gained a dominant position in the spreadsheet software market. Its ease-of-use, powerful features, and compatibility with IBM PCs made it a preferred choice for businesses. 3. Standardization: The success of Lotus 1-2-3 led to its widespread adoption as a standard for spreadsheet applications. Many businesses relied heavily on Lotus 1-2-3 as their primary tool for financial analysis and data management. 4. Competition with Microsoft Excel: Microsoft later entered the market with its own spreadsheet software called Excel. The competition between Lotus 1-2-3 and Excel became known as "the battle of the spreadsheets." While Excel eventually overtook Lotus 1-2-3 in terms of market share, Lotus 1-2-3's impact cannot be overlooked as it laid the foundation for the spreadsheet software industry. 5. Legacy and influence: Even though Lotus 1-2-3 eventually faded from prominence, its impact can still be seen in modern spreadsheet applications. Many of the features and concepts introduced by Lotus 1-2-3, such as cell referencing and integrated functionality, continue to be standard in spreadsheet software today. Overall, Lotus 1-2-3 revolutionized the way businesses managed and analyzed data through spreadsheets. # References ```dataview Table title as Title, authors as Authors where contains(subject, "Lotus 1-2-3") ```