In today's digital world, the computer is a familiar essential for everyone from students to adults in the working sector be it corporate or government sector. With so many courses available teaching people to master the technology of computers, it is firstly necessary to know the basics and the terms related to the computer.
Hardware and Software are the two very common terms that everyone must have heard in their computer classes. So What is Hardware and Software? and What are the Differences between Hardware and Software? In this article, these topics will be covered focusing on:
- What is Computer Hardware and Software?
- Types of Hardware and Software Components of a Computer
- Hardware and Software Difference: Key Differences
- Examples of Hardware and Software
What is Computer Hardware and Software?
If the question is to define hardware and software, putting it easily - Hardware and Software are the two codependent components of a computer system. Hardware is the physical part of the computer system including parts that can be seen or touched like the monitor, CPU, mouse, and keyboard. Software at the same time is the set of instructions provided to or set up in the system enabling the hardware to complete the designated tasks smoothly. The hardware and software parts of computer are equally important for the computer system to function properly.
What is Computer Hardware?
Hardware is a term collectively referring to the physical parts of the computer system including parts that can be seen or touched. These are the main electronic equipments which make the computer. Processor, Monitor, Mouse, CPU, Printer, and Memory Devices - all these include the hardware parts of a computer system. The computer system functions through these hardware elements enabling the system to process user inputs. Without hardware there would be no computer system and no software could be run.
What is Computer Software?
Software is a term collectively referring to the set of instructions, procedures, and documentation which enables the computer system to complete different tasks. It includes the code and instructions commanding the operations of the computer system. These codes can be a single-line simple command or a programming code. The software is the part of the computer system that directs and instructs the system how to perform basic tasks as well as running complex programs. Software is the computer's brain helping it to handle different inputs and specifications. The software needs to be installed into the hardware for the computer system as a whole to function properly. A few examples of software are, MS-Word, Google Chrome, Excel, etc.
Types of Hardware and Software Components of a Computer
The hardware and software are of different types. This section focuses on the types of hardware and software that are necessary for the functioning of a computer system.
Types of Computer Hardware
The following are the four types of Computer Hardware:
- Input Devices
- Output Devices
- Storage Devices
- Internal Component
Input Devices: Input Devices are the devices that initiate user-computer interaction. These are the devices with the help of which the user puts data and information into the Computer System. Some of the input devices are - a keyboard, scanner, mouse, etc.
Output Devices: Output Devices are those devices that depict the result of the input or the task assigned by the user. Some of the output devices are - speakers, monitors, printers, etc.
Storage Devices: Storage Devices are the hardware that store data. Some examples of Secondary Storage Data or Storage Devices are Hard disks, CDs, DVDs, etc.
Internal Component: Internal Components are the hardware devices that already consist in the System. Some of the Internal Components are - CPU, Motherboard, etc.
Types of Computer Software
- System Software
- Application Software
System Software: System Software is computer software that directly interacts and works with computer hardware. It controls the internal functioning of the computer system along with Hardware Devices like printers, storage devices, etc. A few examples of System Software include - Operating Systems, Device Drivers, and Language processors.
Application Software: Application Software overlooks those operations of a computer system that are basic in nature, while performing particular tasks for users. A few examples of Application Software are - Word Processors, Spreadsheets, etc. Also, Application Softwares are further categorized as General Purpose Software, Customized Software, etc.
Hardware and Software Difference: Key Differences
Though Hardware and Software are interdependent parts of the computer, one is totally different from the other. This section will focus on the key differences between the two and describe what is the difference between hardware and software. The table below compares the two and mentions the key differences:
| Parameters | Computer Hardware | Computer Software |
| Basic Definition | Physical part of the computer that causes the processing of data | Set of instructions that tells or instructs a computer what to do exactly.The physical |
| Development | Manufactured | Developed and engineered |
| Dependency | Cannot perform any task without software | Cannot be executed without hardware |
| Process of Creating | Created by using electronics and other materials | Created by using a computer language to write instructions |
| Tangible | Being an electronic device, it is tangible and is prone to wear and tear | It is intangible and hence does not degrade physically over time, but becomes outdated or incompatible with the new hardware |
| Durability | Wears out with time | Does not wear out with time, but suffers from glitches or flaws |
| Types |
|
|
| Virus Effect | Not affected by viruses | Affected by computer viruses |
| Transfer | Not transferrable electrically through a network | Can be transferred electrically through a network |
| Machine-Level Language | Only understands machine-level language | Understands and accepts human-readable input, interprets it in machine-level language, and sends it to hardware for additional processing |
| Replacement | If damaged can be replaced with a new one | If damaged, the backup copy is reinstalled |
| Failures | Dust, overheating, humidity, and other factors lead to failures | Overloading, systematic error, major-minor version error, and other factors lead to failures |
| Examples | Examples: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, CPU, Hard Disk, RAM, ROM, etc. | Examples: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. |
Key Difference: If it is hardware vs software, then the key difference between the two is in their nature where the former is physical and tangible whereas the latter is not physical and is intangible. Hardware is the physical component of a computer system that can be seen or touched while the software is that component of a computer system that can't be seen or touched but is a set of instructions guiding the computer on what tasks to perform and how.
Examples of Computer Hardware and Software
This section will explain the difference between hardware and software with examples.
Computer Hardware Examples
A few examples of computer hardware are: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, CPU, Hard Disk, RAM, ROM, Printers, Scanners, Routers, Hard Drives, Network Cards, etc.
CPU: The CPU also called the ‘brain of the computer’, functions by processing information and executing instructions or commands. There are different types of CPUs performing different functions.
Memory: Memory is a storage device that stores data and programs. Memory is categorized as volatile and non-volatile. Volatile Memory includes RAM and ROM, which erase the content if there is a power cut. Non-volatile memory such as flash drives and disk drives do not erase the content even if there is a power cut.
Motherboard: The motherboard links the other parts of the computer. The motherboard consists of spaces for expansion cards, sockets for devices like modems, and connectors for video cards.
Hard Drive: Hard drives are storage devices that store digital content like files, videos, pictures, music, etc. USB, eSATA ports, or FireWire, are used to connect these to the computer. Hard drives are available in different sizes such as 3.5 inches, 1,8 inches, 5.25 inches, and 2.5 inches.
Monitor: The monitor is the hardware that shows images on the screen. Monitors too come in different sizes, price ranges, and resolutions.
Computer Software Examples
A few examples of computer software are: games, operating systems, media players, productivity suites, etc.
Operating Systems: The basic software that manages the hardware and software resources.
Productivity Suites: Software applications targeting productivity improvement, for example: word processors, presentation software, spreadsheets, etc.
Games: Software aimed at entertainment, and includes single-player as well as multiplayer games.
Media Players: Software applications which are utilised to play audio and video files.