HARDWARE VS SOFTWARE
Software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer
programs, procedures, and documentation that perform some task on a
computer system. Practical computer systems divide software systems
into three major classes: system software, programming software,
and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary and often
blurred. Software is an ordered sequence of instructions for changing
the state of the computer hardware in a particular sequence. Software
is typically programmed with a user-friendly interface that allows
humans to interact more more efficiently with a computer system.
Hardware is best described as a device, such as a hard drive, that is
physically connected to the computer or something that can be
physically touched. A CD-ROM, computer display monitor, printer, and
video card are all examples of computer hardware. Without any
hardware, a computer would not function, and software would have
nothing to run on. Hardware and software interact with one another:
software tells hardware which tasks it needs to perform.
There are several differences between computer hardware and
software.
Comparison chart
Hardware versus Software comparison chart
Hardware Software
Definition Devices that are required to store and Collection of instructions that
execute (or run) the software. enables a user to interact with the
computer. Software is a program
that enables a computer to
perform a specific task, as
opposed to the physical
components of the system
(hardware).
Hardware versus Software comparison chart
Hardware Software
Types Input, storage, processing, control, and System software, Programming
output devices. software, and Application
software.
Function Hardware serve as the delivery system To perform the specific task you
for software solutions. The hardware of need to complete. Software is
a computer is infrequently changed, in generally not needed to for the
comparison with software and data, hardware to perform its basic
which are “soft” in the sense that they level tasks such as turning on and
are readily created, modified, or erased reponding to input.
on the comput
Examples CD-ROM, monitor, printer, video card, QuickBooks, Adobe Acrobat,
scanners , label makers, routers and Google Chrome, Microsoft Word,
modems. Microsoft Excel, Apple Maps
Inter Hardware starts functioning once To deliver its set of instructions,
dependency software is loaded. Software is installed on hardware.
Failure Hardware failure is random. Hardware Software failure is systematic.
does have increasing failure at the last Software does not have an
stage. increasing failure rate.
Durability Hardware wears out over time. Software does not wear out over
time. However, bugs are
discovered in software as time
passes.
Nature Hardware is physical in nature. Software is logical in nature.
Contents: Hardware vs Software
Type
Function
Interdependence
Firewalls
Changes
References
Type
Hardware is a physical device, something that one is able to touch and see. For
example, the computer monitor used to view this text, or the mouse used to
navigate a website are considered computer hardware. Software is a program,
such as an operating system or a web browser, that is able to instruct a
computer's hardware to perform a specific task. Unlike hardware, software has
no physical form.
Though hardware and software are most often associated with computers,
software also runs on other hardware, such as cell phones, Global Positioning
Satellite (GPS) units, medical equipment, and air traffic control system. Without
any type of software the computer would be useless. For example, one wouldn’t
be able to interact with the computer without a software Operating System.
Function
Software performs a specific task by giving an ordered set of programmatic
instructions to hardware. Hardware serves as the delivery system for software
solutions.
Interdependence
Hardware cannot function until software is loaded and software is installed in
hardware to set the programs in action.
Firewalls
Firewalls are available for both hardware and software. The most popular
firewall choice is a software firewall; these are installed on the computer (like
any software) and can be customized to suit individual users' security needs.
Hardware firewalls are typically found in broadband routers.
Changes
While it is common to switch to new software or use multiple kinds of software at
a time, hardware is less frequently changed. Software can easily be created,
changed, or deleted, but switching out hardware takes greater skill and is
usually a more expensive endeavor.
References
Wikipedia: Software
Wikipedia: Computer hardware
