Hardware and Software
Hardware and Software
Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system that you can touch and
feel. These components are tangible and include items such as the computer's central
processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), storage devices (hard drives, solid-state drives),
input devices (keyboard, mouse), output devices (monitor, printer), and other peripherals
(such as speakers or webcams).
Software
Software, on the other hand, refers to the programs, data, and instructions that tell the
hardware how to perform specific tasks. Unlike hardware, software is intangible and exists
as code written by programmers. Software can be categorized into two main types: system
software and application software.
While hardware and software work together to enable computer functionality, they serve
distinct roles. Hardware provides the physical infrastructure for computing, while software
provides the instructions and data necessary to execute tasks and achieve specific
objectives. Understanding the difference between hardware and software is essential for
anyone working with or studying computer systems.