CAB – 11.09.

2023

Basics of Computer Hardware and

Software
The hardware and the software make up a complete operating computer system. Hardware is the
mechanical device in a computer system that is interconnected for operation. The user may not be
able to see all the hardware devices because they are internal to the computer’s casing.
An example of this would be storage drives. Most of the hardware devices are a part of the
motherboard that is responsible for controlling the computer.
Software, on the other hand, works on the idea of instructing programs in computer language for
execution. They tell the device what to perform and how to do it using a set of instructions.
The software developers design the programs in such a way that there are instructions for all
kinds of tasks. This is by using a high-level programming language which is then translated to
binary form for the computer to read.
But software and hardware cannot function without each other. Hardware needs instruction to
perform while software needs a processor to instruct. Thus they are dependent on each other.
Computer Hardware Components

1. Peripheral Devices
These devices are the ones that provide input/output to the computer externally. They are
auxiliary devices meant to form a connection with the device externally via a cable or Bluetooth
to function. Some examples are mouse, headphones, etc.
2. Input devices
The input device allows the user to send data or information to the computer to perform a task.
Keyboards, joysticks, mouse, etc. are some of the examples.
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3. Output devices
The output device completes the task related to the data sent by the input device. They
receive the data from the input devices and execute the tasks accordingly. Printers,
monitors, headphones, etc. are some of the output devices.

4. Secondary storage devices

The place where all the data on the computer goes is a storage device. This allows users
to access all the data safely and without any trouble. This device is one of the core
components of a computer system.

It is a hardware device to store digital data in multiple forms like text, images, audio, etc.
Some examples are – hard drives, USBs, memory cards, etc.

5. Internal components
The components that are already a part of the motherboard and the system are internal
components. Computer memory is internal to the system, becoming a good example of
this.

Many devices may become a part of the system from inside using ribbon cables and
insertion cards. Some examples are – RAM, CPU, etc.

When any of these devices start performing poorly, the system replaces or upgrades. This
process of changing the device refers to hardware upgrades. Like users often upgrade
their RAM to have more space in the computer.

Computer Hardware Architecture

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Can a computer run without hardware?

The need for the hardware in a computer system depends on which device we are talking
about. Devices like a hard drive, keyboard, memory, etc, are essential to function.
Absence or fault in any of these can lead to errors in the computer system.

Adding external devices like speakers, modem, etc. is not integral but can definitely
improve user experience. The software enables users to interact with hardware and
complete tasks on the system.

Computer Software

1. System Software
The software that runs the computer by activating, controlling, and coordinating the
hardware is system software. They also control the application programs on the
computer. They differ according to the function they need to perform in the computer
system. Some of the examples are –

a. Operating System
The most relevant example of system software is an operating system. It is an interface
connecting the users to the computer hardware. Linux, Windows, Edge, etc. are a few
famous operating systems that people use.
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b. BIOS
A basic input-output system is part of Read-Only Memory or flash memory. The first
software that users activate at their computer is BIOS because it loads the drivers to
assist storage of operating systems. It has a set of commands to make the devices
perform effectively.

The starting up of a device refers to boot, the ROM commands automatic execution of
loading boot in memory once the device starts.

c. Device driver
It is responsible for controlling computer hardware by providing an interface. The kernel
uses this software to communicate with the processor. The operating systems usually
have these drivers to work with hardware systems.

d. Assembler
It is a language program with input being an assembly and output being an object. The
programmer has a basic interpretation machine that uses hardware for fundamental
instructions. It uses machine language to get machine memory in place.

e. Compiler
System software that takes care of high-level languages by accepting the source program
and producing a corresponding object program. An interpreter is a program responsible
for executing a source program. FORTRAN, COBOL, etc. may designate to a compiler
and its associated language.

f. Loader
A system software responsible for loading the program and executing it is a loader.
Absolute, relocating, and direct-linking are some of the loading schemes. The assembler
outputs the program to the device and the loader executes it. This is a smaller program
compared to the assembler.

g. Features of a system software

 They are very close to the system.
 They have a very fast speed.
 These are difficult to design and understand.
 They are less interactive.
 They have small size.
 These are hard to manipulate.
 They usually use low-level language.
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2. Application Software
This type of software is for specific tasks related to end-users and their ease. Unlike system
software, a computer doesn’t need them to function. The users can install and uninstall this
software according to their needs. They may have only one program or a collection according to
tasks. Some of its types are –
1. Word Processing Software
This software is for creating editable documents that users can keep going back to. They can add
textual content or edit the existing one when necessary. Other than this, multiple other features are
depending on the particular application. Some examples are – Ms Word, Google Docs, Wordpad,
etc.
2. Spreadsheet Software
This is for making spreadsheets and deals with information/data. It has grids and
columns to tabulate all the data properly making it easy for the user to maintain records.
It enables data processing of even larger files.

There is an option to calculate using different formulas as well. Some examples are – Ms
Excel, Google Sheets, etc.

3. Multimedia Software
These are for editing videos, audios, and texts and allows users to combine all of them as
well. They can improve their documents with interesting visuals and sounds using
multimedia software. Some examples are – VLC player, Premier Pro, Window Media
Player, etc.

4. Enterprise Software
These are for particular business functions when the organizations have multiple tasks to take care
of regularly. This may be for accounting, billing, inventory management, web traffic analysis, etc.
Some examples are – Mailchimp, Google analytics, customer support system, etc.
5. Programming Software
These are software for writing other programs by translating programming languages
into machine language. The developers use them to create, debug, and maintain
applications.

Programming or software development tools are a few other names for it. Some examples
are –
Eclipse, Coda, Notepad++, etc.
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Features of application software

 Closer to the user.
 Easy to design and understand.
 Interactive.
 Have a slow speed.
 Usually use high-level language.
 Easy to manipulate and use.
 Need large storage space in a device.

Difference Between Computer Hardware and Software

Basis Hardware Software
It is internal to the computer that uses a set of
It is the physical part of the device that takes care
Type instructions to command the device for different
of data processing.
tasks.
Development It is made by manufacturing. It is made by developers and engineers.
Relies on high-level programming languages to
Language Uses binary codes to function.
function.
Function Monitors machine-level tasks. Monitors the hardware functioning.
Dependency It depends on the software to execute the task. It depends on hardware to process the information.
They are tangible and thus we can see and touch They are intangible and thus we can’t see and touch
Tangible
hardware. software.
Works for most of the computers in general as Is designed according to the computer system and
Use
they have uniform architecture. updates according to user preference.
It mainly consists of input devices, output devices, System software and Application software are two of
Categories
storage, and internal components. its major types.
Integrated Circuits, diodes, registers, crystals,
Components Numbers, alphabets, symbols, keywords, etc.
insulators, etc.
Protection The viruses cannot attack the hardware system. The viruses can attack the software system.
Usually have something to do with the system and
Faults They are very random and hard to find.
troubleshoots automatically.
Their electric transmission is possible from one They can easily transfer from different locations using
Transfer
place to another electrically using a network. the network.
Durability Depreciates over time. Keeps updating with time.
In case of damage, a new device replaces the
Replacement In case of damage, it undergoes reinstallation.
hardware.

Keyboard, Monitor, Printer, CPU, Hard disk, Ms Word, Operating system, Photoshop, MySQL,
Examples
ROM, etc. etc.
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Firmware
It is a low-level program that performs a very specific function in guiding hardware for
the execution of its tasks. They are mostly permanent and are difficult to manipulate
after development. Some people believe that it is part of the hardware system but it is
beyond this belief.

It enables the hardware to function by instructing. Don’t confuse it for the operating
system as it cannot be changed after development. It controls specific devices but the
operating system takes care of the functions above it.

Relationship between Hardware and Software

 They depend on each other to make the computer system work efficiently.
 The software needs the support of hardware to utilize its features.
 Hardware needs programs to operate which only software can provide.
 For specific tasks, multiple software needs to be loaded in the hardware to perform.
 Hardware is a one-time investment while the software is a continuous one.
 Software is an interface allowing users to use hardware.