When you use a computer — to type a document, play music, or browse the internet — have you ever thought about how it all works?
Every computer, whether a laptop or smartphone, is made up of two main components:
👉 Hardware and Software.
Without these two, a computer is incomplete.
Just like the human body (hardware) needs a mind (software) to function, a computer also needs both to work properly.
In this article, we’ll explore What is Software and Hardware, their types, and the difference between Software and Hardware with a detailed chart.
⚙️ What is Hardware?
Hardware refers to all the physical parts of a computer system that we can see and touch.
These are tangible components like the monitor, keyboard, mouse, hard disk, and motherboard.
📘 Definition:
Hardware is the physical component of a computer that can be seen, touched, and handled.
🧩 Examples of Hardware:
- Input Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner
- Output Devices: Monitor, Printer, Speaker
- Storage Devices: Hard Disk, SSD, Pen Drive
- Internal Components: CPU, Motherboard, RAM, ROM, Power Supply
In short, hardware is everything you can physically touch in a computer.
🔹 Characteristics of Hardware:
- Tangible: You can touch and see it.
- Permanent: It doesn’t get erased when the computer shuts down.
- Durable: It can last for years if maintained properly.
- Dependent on Software: Without software, hardware cannot perform tasks.
🧩 Types of Hardware:
- Input Devices: Used to give data to the computer.
Examples: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner. - Output Devices: Show the processed data.
Examples: Monitor, Printer, Projector. - Storage Devices: Used to save data permanently or temporarily.
Examples: Hard Disk, SSD, Pen Drive. - Processing Devices: These are the brain of the computer.
Examples: CPU, GPU, Motherboard. - Networking Devices: Help computers connect and communicate.
Examples: Router, Modem, Network Card.
💡 What is Software?
Software is a set of programs, instructions, or codes that tell the computer how to perform tasks.
It is intangible, meaning we cannot touch or see it physically — we can only use it.
📘 Definition:
Software is a collection of instructions or programs that enable a computer to perform specific tasks.
For example:
- When you type in Microsoft Word → Software converts your actions into digital text.
- When you browse using Chrome → Software handles data transmission through the internet.
🔹 Characteristics of Software:
- Intangible: Cannot be touched, only seen or used.
- Developed by Coding: Created using programming languages.
- Easily Updated: Can be modified or upgraded anytime.
- Dependent on Hardware: Needs hardware to run and execute.
🧩 Types of Software
Software is broadly divided into two main types:
1. System Software
This type of software manages and controls the computer hardware so that application programs can run properly.
It acts as a bridge between hardware and user.
Examples:
- Operating System (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Device Drivers
- Utility Programs (Antivirus, Disk Management)
Functions:
- Controls hardware components
- Manages files and memory
- Coordinates input/output operations
2. Application Software
Application software is designed for performing specific user tasks like editing photos, writing documents, or playing games.
Examples:
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- VLC Media Player
- Adobe Photoshop
- Google Chrome
Functions:
- Helps the user perform personal or professional work
- Provides user-friendly interfaces
- Runs on top of system software
⚡ Difference Between Hardware and Software (Comparison Chart)
| Feature | Hardware | Software |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Physical parts of a computer that can be touched and seen | Set of instructions or programs that tell the computer what to do |
| Nature | Tangible (can be touched) | Intangible (cannot be touched) |
| Dependency | Depends on software to function | Depends on hardware to run |
| Creation | Manufactured physically | Developed using programming languages |
| Damage | Can be damaged physically | Can be corrupted or deleted |
| Replacement | Hard and expensive to replace | Easy and inexpensive to replace |
| Examples | CPU, Keyboard, Monitor, Hard Disk | Windows OS, MS Office, Browser, Photoshop |
| Function | Performs physical operations | Performs logical or computational operations |
| Upgradation | Rare and difficult | Frequent and easy |
🧠 Hardware and Software Relationship
Hardware and Software are interdependent — one cannot function without the other.
- Hardware provides the platform (like a stage).
- Software provides the instructions (like a performer).
For example:
- A printer (hardware) needs printer drivers (software) to print documents.
- A speaker (hardware) needs audio software to play sound.
💬 In short:
Hardware = Body
Software = Mind
Both together = Functioning Computer
🧩 Examples of Hardware and Software Working Together
| Task | Hardware Used | Software Used |
|---|---|---|
| Writing a letter | Keyboard, Monitor | MS Word |
| Watching a movie | Monitor, Speaker | VLC Player |
| Browsing Internet | CPU, Modem | Google Chrome |
| Designing Graphics | Mouse, GPU | Adobe Photoshop |
| Playing Games | Graphics Card, Controller | Game Software |
🧰 Categories of Software (Detailed View)
| Category | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| System Software | Runs the hardware and system resources | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Application Software | Performs specific user tasks | Word, Excel, Photoshop |
| Programming Software | Used to create new software | Python, Java, C++ |
| Utility Software | Helps in maintenance and optimization | Antivirus, Disk Cleanup |
⚙️ Evolution of Hardware and Software
🧩 Hardware Evolution:
- 1940s: Vacuum tubes
- 1950s: Transistors
- 1970s: Microprocessors
- 2000s: Integrated Circuits and Nanochips
🧩 Software Evolution:
- Early Days: Machine-level programs
- 1980s: GUI-based systems like Windows
- Modern Era: Cloud-based, AI-integrated, and mobile applications
This evolution shows how both hardware and software advanced together.
What is Input and Output Device?
🔍 Importance of Hardware and Software in a Computer System
- Hardware: Provides the foundation and resources.
- Software: Provides functionality and control.
- Together: Create a complete operational environment for users and applications.
Without software, hardware is useless; without hardware, software is meaningless.
📚 Summary
Let’s quickly summarize what we learned:
- Hardware = Physical components like CPU, Monitor, Keyboard.
- Software = Programs or instructions like Windows, MS Office, Photoshop.
- Hardware is tangible; Software is intangible.
- Hardware needs Software to operate; Software needs Hardware to execute.
- Both work together to make a computer functional.
❓ FAQs – What is Software and Hardware
Q1. What is Hardware in Computer?
Hardware is the physical part of a computer that we can see and touch, such as CPU, keyboard, and monitor.
Q2. What is Software in Computer?
Software is a set of instructions or programs that tell the hardware what to do.
Q3. What is the difference between Hardware and Software?
Hardware is tangible and performs physical functions, while software is intangible and performs logical or processing tasks.
Q4. Can a computer work without software?
No. Without software, hardware cannot perform any meaningful task.
Q5. Can software be touched or seen?
Software cannot be touched physically; it can only be seen on the screen as applications or programs.
Q6. Which is more expensive – hardware or software?
Hardware is usually more expensive to replace, while software can be reinstalled or upgraded easily.
🏁 Conclusion
Now you clearly understand What is Hardware and What is Software, along with their differences.
Hardware gives a computer its body, and software gives it life. Both together make computing possible.
As technology grows, both hardware (like processors, memory) and software (like AI systems, operating platforms) are becoming faster, smarter, and more efficient.
👉 In the next post, we’ll explore the “Difference Between System Software and Application Software” with examples and chart.
If you enjoyed this post, share it and comment below what topic you’d like next!