The graphic designers of today has many tools at their disposal. There have never been better graphic design software options. We'll look at each program, and what they do.
1) Photoshop- This is THE photo editing standard in the graphics world, and used by most serious graphic designers, photographers, and image manipulators. Can create an image from scratch or edit and existing file. Photoshop uses advanced features like layers, a history brush, comprehensive editing manipulation, color correction, and more. This is graphic design software that most graphic designers will not do without.
Types of Output: Photographs, Manipulated objects, Web Graphics, Texture editing...
2) CuteDraw- A rapid and powerful diagramming software, novel, small and exquisite, which creates flowcharts and business charts with minimum time loss. Support basic flowcharts, organizational charts, business charts, hr diagrams, work flowcharts, programming flowcharts and network design diagrams.
3) Visio- A rapid and powerful diagramming software, novel, small and exquisite, which creates flowcharts and business charts with minimum time loss. Support basic flowcharts, organizational charts, business charts, hr diagrams, work flowcharts, programming flowcharts and network design diagrams.
3) Freehand- This program put out by Macromedia allows for the creation of vector art among other things. Good for line art, cartoons, logo creation, as well as any other image that can be resized to any size and still have smooth edges and lines. Vector images are made up of lines, curves, and gradients.

Types of Output: Line Art, Logos, Cartoons, Anything with smooth edges and shapes. Not for photographs...
4) Illustrator- Put out by Adobe, Illustrator is very much the same as Freehand. It works with vector graphics for the most part. It's known for it's strong compatibility of other Adobe products, so Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat work very well together.

Types of Output: Line Art, Logos, Cartoons, Anything with smooth edges and shapes...

5) Quark Xpress- This is a layout program for printed media. Can create any layout from a brochure to an entire book. Is used to define page size, margins, typeface, text flow, page numbering, and so on.

Types of Output: Books, Magazines, Brochures, CD Covers, Manuals, Menus...
6) Adobe InDesign- This as well is a layout program, but put out by Adobe. So again, it works well with other Adobe products. This Adobe graphic design software suite (with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat) is called Adobe Creative Suite.