What is hardware and software?

Computer Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or a machine that we can see and touch.

It is a physical component that is used in different ways to build a computer or any other machine. The Memory Devices, Processor,Monitor, Mouse, and the Keyboard all are the examples of the hardware in the computer system.

In the other hand, the screen on which you are viewing this page is the best example of the hardware, whether you are viewing this page on the tablet, monitor, or smartphone.

Computer Software

Software is the set of instructions that can be stored and run by hardware.Software is a collection of procedures, instructions, documentation that tells a computer exactly what to do or allows users to interact with a computer.

For example, if a software program, MS-Word is not installed into your computer, you cannot make any document that can be completed through MS-Word. Also, you cannot surf the Internet or visit any website if your system has no Internet browser software.

Software can be categorized into two types −

• System software
• Application software

System Software

System software operates directly on hardware devices of computer. It provides a platform to run an application. It provides and supports user functionality. Examples of system software include operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.

Application Software

An application software is designed for benefit of users to perform one or more tasks. Examples of application software include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Oracle, etc.

Hardware	Software
Hardware is a physical component of computers that executes the instruction.	Software is a program that enables users to interact with the computer, its hardware.
It is manufactured in factories.	It is developed by software programmers or software development companies.
Storage Devices, Input Devices, Output Devices, and Internal components are the primary categories of hardware.	Operating Systems, Application Software, and Programming Software are the main categories of software.
Hardware can be seen and touch as it is a physical, electronic device.	The software can be seen but cannot be touched as it is virtual, not physical.
Computer viruses cannot affect hardware.	Computer viruses can affect software.
Hardware can be replaced with a new one if it is damaged.	The software is reinstalled if it gets damaged.
Through the network, hardware cannot be transferred electrically. Only, it can be physically transferred.	The software can be transferred easily.
Examples of hardware are RAM, ROM, Printer, Monitor, Mouse, Hard disk and more.	Examples of software are Google Chrome, MySQL, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Notepad, Photoshop and more.