Difference between Hardware and Software
Computer Hardware and Software, both are essential parts of a
Computer System. In short, Hardware and Software make a System
compatible with the user. In this article, we are going to discuss the basic
differences between Computer Hardware and Computer Software.
Computer Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer. Computer
Hardware is any part of the computer that we can touch these parts.
These are the primary electronic devices used to build up the computer.
Examples of hardware in a computer are the Processor, Memory
Devices, Monitor, Printer, Keyboard, Mouse, and Central Processing
Unit.
Types of Computer Hardware
Input Devices
Output Devices
Storage Devices
Internal Component
1. Input Devices: Input Devices are those devices through which a user
enters data and information into the Computer or simply, User interacts
with the Computer. Examples of Input Devices are Keyboard, Mouse,
Scanner, etc.
2. Output Devices: Output Devices are devices that are used to show
the result of the task performed by the user. Examples of Output Devices
are Monitors, Printers, Speakers, etc.
3. Storage Devices: Storage Devices are devices that are used for
storing data and they are also known as Secondary Storage Data.
Examples of Storage Devices are CDs, DVDs, Hard Disk, etc
4. Internal Component: Internal Components consists of important
hardware devices present in the System. Examples of Internal
Components are the CPU, Motherboard, etc.
Computer Software
Software is a collection of instructions, procedures, and documentation
that performs different tasks on a computer system. we can say also
Computer Software is a programming code executed on a computer
processor. The code can be machine-level code or code written for an
operating system. Examples of software are MS- Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Google Chrome, Photoshop, MySQL, etc.
Types of Computer Software
System Software
Application Software
1. System Software: System Software is a component of Computer
Software that directly operates with Computer Hardware which has the
work to control the Computer’s Internal Functioning and also takes
responsibility for controlling Hardware Devices such as Printers, Storage
Devices, etc. Types of System Software include Operating systems,
Language processors, and Device Drivers.
2. Application Software: Application Software are the software that
works the basic operations of the computer. It performs a specific task
for users. Application Software basically includes Word Processors,
Spreadsheets, etc. Types of Application software include General
Purpose Software, Customized Software, etc.
Difference Between Hardware and Software
Parameters Hardware Software
Hardware is a physical Software is a set of
Basic part of the computer instructions that tells a
Definition that causes the computer exactly what to
processing of data. do.
It is developed and
Development It is manufactured.
engineered.
Hardware cannot The software can not be
Dependency perform any task executed without
without software. hardware.
Electronic and other Created by utilizing a
Process of
materials are used to computer language to
creating
create hardware. write instructions.
Hardware is tangible as Software is intangible as
hardware is a physical we can see and also use
Tangible
electronic device, that the software but can’t
can be touched. touch them.
The software does not
Hardware typically wear out with time.
Durability
wears out over time. However, it may contain
flaws and glitches.
It has four main
categories:
1. Input Devices
Types 2. Output Devices 1. System software
3. Storage Devices 2. Application software.
4. Internal
Components.
Hardware is not
Software is affected by
Virus effect affected by computer
computer viruses.
viruses.
It cannot be transferred
from one place to It can be transferred via a
Transfer
another electrically network means.
through the network.
The program accepts
Only machine-level human-readable input,
Machine-
language is known to interprets it in machine-
Level
be understood by level language, and sends
language
hardware. it to hardware for
additional processing.
Replacement If the hardware is If the software is
damaged, it is replaced damaged, its backup copy
with a new one. can be reinstalled.
Dust, overheating, Overloading, systematic
humidity, and other error, major-minor version
Failures factors are commonly error, and other factors
responsible for are commonly responsible
hardware failures. for software failures.
Ex: Keyboard, Mouse,
Ex: MS Word, Excel,
Monitor, Printer, CPU,
Examples PowerPoint, Photoshop,
Hard disk, RAM, ROM,
MySQL, etc.
etc.
