Lecture 01
Computer Hardware: Hardware refers to the physical components of a
computer. Computer Hardware is any part of the computer that we can touch
these parts. These are the primary electronic devices used to build up the
computer. Examples of hardware in a computer are the Processor, Memory
Devices, Monitor, Printer, Keyboard, Mouse, and the Central Processing Unit.
Hardware Components
Computer hardware is a collection of several components working together. Some
parts are essential and others are added advantages. Computer hardware is made up
of CPU and peripherals as shown in image below.
Computer Software: Software is a collection of instructions, procedures, and
documentation that performs different tasks on a computer system. we can say
also Computer Software is a programming code executed on a computer
processor. The code can be machine-level code or the code written for an
operating system. Examples of software are Ms Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Google Chrome, Photoshop, MySQL, etc.
A set of instructions that drives computer to do stipulated tasks is called a program.
Software instructions are programmed in a computer language, translated into
machine language, and executed by computer. Software can be categorized into
two types −
System software
Application software
System Software
System software operates directly on hardware devices of computer. It provides a
platform to run an application. It provides and supports user functionality.
Examples of system software include operating systems such as Windows, Linux,
Unix, etc.
Application Software
An application software is designed for benefit of users to perform one or more
tasks. Examples of application software include Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Oracle, etc.
Difference Between Hardware and Software:
S. No. Parameters Hardware Software
1 Basic Software is a set of
Definition Hardware is a physical part instructions that tells a
of the computer that causes computer exactly what to do.
the processing of data.
2 Development It is manufactured It is developed and
engineered.
3 Dependency Hardware cannot perform The software can not be
any task without software. executed without hardware.
4 Electronic and other Created by utilizing a
Process of materials are used to create computer language to write
creating hardware. instructions.
5 Tangible Hardware is tangible as Software is intangible as we
hardware is a physical can see and also use the
electronic device, that can be software but can’t touch
touched. them.
6 The software does not wear
out with time. However, it
Hardware typically wears out may contain flaws and
Durability over time. glitches.
7 Types It has four main categories: It is mainly divided into
input devices, output devices, System software and
storage, and internal Application software.
components.
8 Hardware is not affected by Software is affected by
Virus effect computer viruses. computer viruses.
9 It cannot be transferred from
one place to another
electrically through the
It can be transferred via a
Transfer network. network means.
10 The program accepts human-
readable input, interprets it in
Machine- Only machine-level language machine-level language, and
Level is known to be understood by sends it to hardware for
language hardware. additional processing.
11 Replacement If the software is damaged,
If hardware is damaged, it is its backup copy can be
replaced with a new one. reinstalled.
12 Overloading, systematic
Dust, overheating, dust, and error, major-minor version
other factors are commonly error, and other factors are
responsible for hardware commonly responsible for
Failures failures. software failures.
13 Examples Ex: Keyboard, Mouse, Ex: MS Word, Excel,
Monitor, Printer, CPU, Hard PowerPoint, Photoshop,
disk, RAM, ROM, etc. MySQL, etc.
What System Software?
System software provides an interface between the system hardware and the user. It lets the
system understand the command that the user inputs. We can also say that the system software
serves as an interface between the hardware in a system and application software. It is also called
as general purpose software. The end user usually does not directly interact with the system
software. The user only gets to interact with the GUI that has been created by the system
software.
What is Application Software? We can define an application software as software written on a
high-level language such as Java, C++, .net and VB for instance. This software is meant to meet
some specific needs of the user. Some of the kinds of application software are designing
software, a computing software, and an editing software. There is a specific purpose behind
every application software.
Application software runs on the platform created by the system software. We can say that
application software provides a kind of intermediary between the end user and the software
installed on a computer. Application software is not absolutely essential for running a system,
but it makes the system more useful. The MS Office you find on Windows-based systems is a
typical example of application software.
Differences between System Software and
Application Software
System software is meant to manage the Application software helps perform a
system resources. It serves as the platform specific set of functions for which
to run application software. they have been designed.
System software is developed in a low-level Application software is developed in a
language (assembly language for example) high-level language such as Java, C+
+, .net and VB.
System software automatically starts Application software runs as and
running once the system is turned on and when the user requests it.
stops when the system is shut down.
A system cannot even start without system Application software is user specific
software and it is not needed to run the system
on the whole.
System software is endowed with a general Application software carries a specific
purpose. purpose.
A typical example for a system software is Some characteristic examples for
Windows Operating System application software is MS Office,
Photoshop and CorelDraw
