Applications that capture a still image of a computer screen are commonly used for creating tutorials, documenting errors, or saving visual information. These tools allow users to select a specific area, a window, or the entire display to be captured and saved as an image file. For example, a user might employ such a tool to capture an image of a software bug to send to a developer.
The functionality of these screen capture applications provides significant efficiency in various workflows. They enable quick and precise visual communication, eliminating the need for lengthy written explanations. Historically, taking a screenshot involved less user-friendly methods, often requiring specific keyboard commands and resulting in a full-screen capture that then needed cropping and editing. Modern screen capture tools streamline this process, offering greater control and flexibility.