1. Difference Between Hardware and Software - Computer Hardware vs Software
http://www.bestguru.com/Computer/Material/Computer-hardware-vs-software.htm[30-05-2013 17:34:27]
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Hardware vs Software - Difference Between Computer Hardware and Computer Software
by
Rajesh Goyal
When in early 1990s, I was exposed to computers, I heard about hardware and software for the first time. There were very few
people in banking who knew about computers, and thus it was extremely difficult for me to grasp the concept of hardware and
software. It took me several weeks to understand the difference between these two. Now, the same appears to be too elementary as
now even children learn about computers even before they reach 1st standard. However, I thought of writing a separate page for this,
as I know there will be still number of students who are new to the topic of computers and still grapple to know the difference
between hardware and software. If you are technically sound in computers, please do skip this topic.
What is Computer Hardware : Computer hardware is a term used for physical devices that you are able to touch and see. For
example, the monitor on which you are viewing this page is a computer hardware. Similarly, the keyboard and mouse you use are
also hardware. These devices you are actually able to see and touch
What is Computer Software : Computer software is a term used for a set of code and instructions that tell a computer (including
hardware) as to how to perform a task. In other words, software is a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation
that perform some task on a computer system. Unlike hardware, you can not usually touch and see the computer software.
However, you may be able to read the set of instructions.
Thus, we can say that CD or Pen Drive are hardware, whereas the programme which is loaded in the CD / Pen Drive is a software.
You can touch CD and Pen Drive but can not touch the programme which is loaded in the CD / Pen Drive.
Comparison of Computer Hardware and Computer Software / Hardware vs Software
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2. Difference Between Hardware and Software - Computer Hardware vs Software
http://www.bestguru.com/Computer/Material/Computer-hardware-vs-software.htm[30-05-2013 17:34:27]
Hardware Software
Definition of Physical Devices used to store and execute various
softwares
Set of instructions that enables a user to interact with the
computer. It enables the computer to perform a specific task.
Examples of Monitor, CPU, Keyboard, Mouse, CD-ROM, Pen
Drives, Printer, Scanners , Modem etc
Microsoft Word , Microsoft Excel; Acrobat Readers, Window XP
Types of Input Devices, Output Devices, Storage Devices,
Processing Devices, Control Devices
System software, Programming software, and Application
software
Function of Hardware acts as the delivery system for software
solutions. Once installed, hardware is not required to
be changed on day to day basis.
Software is used to perform the specific task. Although software
is generally not needed to be amended on day to day basis, but
data is regularly feeded for certain software. New versions are
released for software from time to tome.
Reliability of Hardware are reliable and no bugs are usually
noticed in its life time.
Software needs constant testing and any deficiencies / bugs
noticed are to be fixed from time to time
Chances of Failure Hardware failure is random. As the hardware
becomes older, the chance of failure increases
Software failure is systematic. With the passage of time and
fixing of bugs, software have lessor chances of failure.
Lifetime of Hardware wears out over time. Software does not wear out over time.
Nature of It is physical in nature It is logical in nature
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► Hardware Software ► Free Software ► PC Software ► Kids Software
► Kids Software ► Hardware Repair ► Computer Software ► Will Software