What is the difference between hardware and software Please provide examples to support your answer?

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What is the difference between hardware and software?

Hardware is physical equipment that you use within your computer - things that you can see and touch. Software are programs or applications that you use on your PC such as Microsoft Word or Paintbrush. Some you will be able to see and run whilst using your PC, some will run "behind the scenes".

Hardware is physical compents of a computer Software are programs that we can not touch with our hands

A computer system is divided into two categories: Hardware and Software. Hardware refers to the physical and visible components of the system such as a monitor, CPU, keyboard and mouse. Software, on the other hand, refers to a set of instructions which enable the hardware to perform a specific set of tasks. The software must be installed in the hardware to function properly and similarly, the hardware must be present for the tasks to be performed. Both are interdependent, yet they are also different from each other.

This article will bring you the important difference between hardware and software which will be helpful for computer awareness sections of multiple government exams.

Check the post on computer knowledge for more information on computer awareness.

Aspirants can also gain more information on computers by reading articles linked below. These will help in understanding the difference between hardware and software with more clarity.

Differences between Hardware and Software

Hardware	Software
Hardware is further divided into four main categories: Input Devices Output Devices Secondary Storage Devices Internal Components	Software is further divided into two main categories: Application Software System Software
Developed using electronic and other materials	Developed writing using instructions using a programming language
When damaged, it can be replaced with a new component	When damaged it can be installed once more using a backup copy
Hardware is physical in nature and hence one can touch and see hardware	The software cannot be physically touched but still can be used and seen
Hardware cannot be infected by Viruses	The software can be infected by Viruses
Hardware will physically wear out over time	Software does not wear out but it can be affected by bugs and glitches
An example of Hardware is hard drives, monitors, CPU, scanners, printers etc.	An example of software is Windows 10, Adobe Photoshop, Google Chrome etc.

Read more about the terms used in the table above from the articles mentioned below:

Computer Virus
Difference Between Virus and Malware
Microsoft Windows

Candidates can check important Computer software and hardware questions on the given link to practice and prepare well.

Both Hardware and Software are covered under the Science and Technology segment of the UPSC Exam. To learn about the topics in this segment, aspirants can refer to the following links.

Aspirants can find more Difference Between Articles, by visiting the linked page

Difference Between Software and Hardware – Download PDF Here

Software is the programs and routines for a computer or the program material for an electronic device which make it run. An example of software is Excel or Windows or iTunes. Word processing programs and Internet browsers are examples of software.

Hardware refers to the physical elements of a computer. Also referred to as the machinery or the equipment of the computer. Examples of hardware in a computer are the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the processing unit However, most of a computer’s hardware cannot be seen; It’s inside the computer case.

Hardware is not affected by computer viruses whereas Software gets majorly impacted by the viruses.

Hardware is mainly classified into four main categories that are input devices, output devices, storage, and internal components.

It is mainly of two types that is System software and Application software.

For more UPSC Exam related preparation materials visit the following links given below:

UPSC Preparation:

As facile as this question might be in this day and age, it’s good to know the main differences even if many might think they’re too obvious to mention. Computer hardware is any physical device used in or with your machine, whereas software is a collection of codes installed onto your computer’s hard drive. For instance, the computer monitor you’re currently using to read this text and the mouse you’re using to navigate this web page is computer hardware. The Internet browser that allowed you to visit this page and the operating system that the browser is running on is considered software.

All software uses at least one hardware device to run. Take for example, a video game, which is software; it uses the computer processor (CPU), memory (RAM), hard drive, and video card to work. Word processing software uses the computer processor, memory, and hard drive to generate and save documents.

In a computer, hardware is what makes a computer work. A CPU processes data and that information can be stored in RAM or on a hard drive. A sound card can offer sound to speakers and a video card can provide an image to a monitor. All of this is hardware.

Can a computer run without hardware?

This all depends on the hardware in question. Most computers require at least a display, hard drive, keyboard, memory, motherboard, processor, power supply, and video card to properly function.

If any of these devices are absent or faulty, an error is encountered, or the computer will not start. Adding hardware such as a disc drive (e.g. CD-ROM or DVD), modem, mouse, network card, printer, sound card, or speakers are not required, but give the computer additional functionality.

On that same computer, software can be installed and let a person interact with the hardware. Operating Systems, like Windows or macOS, are software and they provide a graphical interface for people to use the computer and other software on the computer. A person can create documents and pictures using the right software.

Can a computer run without software?

In most situations, yes, a computer can operate without software being installed. Nevertheless, if an operating system or interpreter is not found on the computer, it either generates an error or doesn’t output any information.
Installing programs onto the computer along with an operating system gives the computer supplementary capacities. For example, a word processor is not required, but it allows you to create documents as well as letters.

Indubitably, we live in an age of information technology. Software is a program or set of programs that perform some specific operations. It’s good to know that there are two types of software:

1. System Software
2. Application Software

System software is a part of operating System which interface with the hardware for specific operation. Drivers, IDE, firmware and so on, are the example of System Software. On the other hand, Application Software is for augmentation of computing, and it is based on need of users.

What’s the importance of software?

Imagine trying to survive without a phone and internet for an entire day. The mere thought of it possibly suggests what’s virtually impossible in this day and age. From the moment we wake up, we start our day with an alarm clock application, and soon after checking social networking sites and emails after whilst sipping on our morning dose of caffeine.

Software is developed as a means to enhance our lives. For example, by using an e-commerce website, we are able to save money and time. Then there are many simulators which are also the kind of software which is used to test before any physical implementation. Therefore, the importance of software is in our everyday life is one that cannot be overlooked. With an ever-evolving world of technology, and services like the cloud computing, users don’t even need to download software to their computers. They can simply run programs directly from the cloud with minimal installation.

If you would like to find out more about software development in Malta, contact AIS Software today.

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