Hardware

Hardware, represents the physical components of a computer

like its electronics parts. For example, CPU, Memory, Hard
Disk, Monitor, Printer, Mouse, etc
Hardware, which is abbreviated as HW, refers to all physical
components of a computer system, including the devices
connected to it. You cannot create a computer or use software
without using hardware. The screen on which you are reading
this information is also a hardware.

What is a hardware upgrade?

A hardware upgrade refers to a new hardware, or a replacement for the
old one, or additional hardware developed to improve the performance of
the existing hardware. A common example of a hardware upgrade is a
RAM upgrade that increases the computer's total memory, and video card
upgrade, where the old video card is removed and replaced with the new
one.

Software
Software, represents the program(s) which perform different tasks on a
computer system. It is a programming code which is executed by CPU,
which can takes instructions from input devices like keyboard, mouse, and
can show output on output devices like monitor, printer etc. Examples are
MS Word, Google Chrome, Photoshop etc.

Software, which is abbreviated as SW or S/W, is a set of programs

that enables the hardware to perform a specific task. All the
programs that run the computer are software.
Following are the important difference between Hardware
and Software.

Sr. Key Hardware Software

No.
Type Hardware is a set of Software is a program or set
physical parts of of instructions which are to
1 computers which be executed by CPU to do the
actually executes the intended task.
instruction.
Development A Hardware is A software is developed,
2 manufactured in engineered by software
factories. development companies.
Dependency A hardware cannot do A software cannot execute if
3 any task with a software underlying hardware is not
instructing it. present.
Tangible A hardware can be Softwares being digital can
touched being a be seen but cannot be
4
physical electronic touched.
device.
Categories Hardware categories: Software categories:
Input Devices, Output Programming Softwares,
Devices, Storage Application Softwares,
5
Devices, Internal Operating Systems.
components of CPU and
motherboard.
Virus impact Hardware remain Software is affected by virus
6
unaffected by viruses. being primary target.
 Sr. Key Hardware Software
No.
Digital A hardware can be only Software can be transferred
7
Transfer physically transferred. electronically.
Replacement If hardware gets If Software get damaged, it is
8 damaged, it is replaced reinstalled.
with new one.

The software can be of three types: system software,

application software, and programming software.

1) System Software
The system software is the main software that runs the computer.
When you turn on the computer, it activates the hardware and
controls and coordinates their functioning. The application
programs are also controlled by system software. An operating
system is an example of system software.

i) Operating System:
An operating system is the system software that works as an
interface to enable the user to communicate with the computer. It
manages and coordinates the functioning of hardware and
software of the computer. The commonly used operating systems
are Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Apple Mac OS X
Some other examples of system software include:
o BIOS: It stands for basic input output system. It is a type of
system software, which is stored in Read Only Memory
(ROM) located on the motherboard. However, in advanced
computer systems, it is stored in flash memory. BIOS is the
first software that gets activated when you turn on your
computer system. It loads the drivers of the hard disk into
memory as well as assists the operating system to load itself
into the memory.
o Boot Program: Boot refers to starting up a computer.
When you switch on the computer, the commands in the
ROM are executed automatically to load the boot program
into memory and execute its instructions. The BIOS program
has a basic set of commands that enables the computer to
perform the basic input/output instructions to start the
computer.
o An assembler: It plays the role of a converter as it receives
basic computer instructions and converts them into a pattern
of bits. The processor uses these bits to perform basic
operations.
o A device driver: This system software controls hardware
devices connected to a computer. It enables the computer to
use the hardware by providing an appropriate interface. The
kernel of a Computer's CPU communicates with different
hardware through this software. Operating systems generally
come with most of the device drivers. If the operating system
does not have a device driver for hardware, you have to
install the device driver before using that hardware device.
2) Application Software:
Application software is a set of programs designed to perform a
specific task. It does not control the working of a computer as it
is designed for end-users. A computer can run without application
software. Application software can be easily installed or
uninstalled as required. It can be a single program or a collection
of small programs. Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, and
any other software like income tax software are application
software. As we know, they are designed to perform specific
tasks. Accordingly, they can be of different types such as:
o Word Processing Software: This software allows users to
create, edit, format, and manipulate the text and more. It
offers lots of options for writing documents, creating images,
and more. For example, MS Word, WordPad, Notepad, etc.
o Spreadsheet Software: It is designed to perform
calculations, store data, create charts, etc. It has rows and
columns, and the data is entered in the cell, which is an
intersection of a row and column, e.g., Microsoft Excel.
o Multimedia Software: This software are developed to
perform editing of video, audio, and text. It allows you to
combine texts, videos, audio, and images. Thus, you can
improve a text document by adding photos, animations,
graphics, and charts through multimedia software. For
example, VLC player, Window Media Player, etc.
Enterprise Software: This software are developed for business
operational functions. It is used in large organizations where the
quantum of business is too large. It can be used for accounting,
billing, order processing and more. For example, CRM
(Customer Relationship Management), BI (Business
Intelligence), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), SCM
(Supply Chain Management), customer support system, and
more.

3) Programming Software:
It is a set or collection of tools that help developers in writing
other software or programs. It assists them in creating, debugging,
and maintaining software or programs or applications. We can say
that these are facilitator software that helps translate
programming language such as Java, C++, Python, etc., into
machine language code. So, it is not used by end-users. For
example, compilers, linkers, debuggers, interpreters, text editors,
etc. This software is also called a programming tool or software
development tool.
Some examples of programming software include:
o Eclipse: It is a java language editor.
o Coda: It is a programming language editor for Mac.
o Notepad++: It is an open-source editor for windows.
o Sublime text: It is a cross-platform code editor for Linux,
Mac, and Windows

Difference between System software and Application

software.
As we know that software is a set of instructions or programs
instructing a computer to do specific tasks. Software is basically
a generic term used to describe computer programs. In general
Scripts, applications, programs and a set of instructions are all
terms often used to describe software.
Now the basis of language in which software is developed and
platform which is required for its execution we can classified
software as in two divisions which are System software and
Application software. Following are some basic differences
between System software and Application software.
Sr. Key System Software. Application Software.
No.
Definition System Software is the type On other hand Application
of software which is the Software is the type of software
1 interface between application which runs as per user request. It
software and system. runs on the platform which is
provide by system software.

Development In general System software While in case of Application

Language are developed in low level software high level language is
2
language which is more used for their development as they
compatible with the system are developed as some specific
hardware in order to interact purpose software.
with.

Usage System software is used On other hand Application

3 for operating computer software is used by user to
hardware. perform specific task.

Installation System software are On other hand Application

installed on the computer software are installed
4 when operating system is according to user’s
installed. requirements.
Sr. Key System Software. Application Software.
No.

User As mentioned in above On other hand in application

interaction points system software software user can interacts
are specific to system with it as user interface is
5 hardware so less or no available in this case.
user interaction available
in case of system
software.

Dependency System software can run On other hand in application

independently. It provides software can’t run
6 platform for running independently. They can’t run
application software. without the presence of system
software..

Examples Some examples of system On other hand some examples

software’s are compiler, of application software’s are
7 assembler, debugger, word processor, web browser,
driver, etc. media player, etc.