As we know
that this is an era of computer and technology. Therefore, all computer users
have to come across terms of hardware and software. When we think about
hardware and software, different questions come to our minds like ‘What is the
relation between software and hardware?’ and ‘What is the difference between software and hardware?’ etc. Hardware and
software are two major components of a computer. Here, we will discuss the
difference between hardware and software.
What is Hardware?
The physical
part of a computer system that we can touch is known as hardware. All the
computer systems require hardware for their existence. Some essential examples
of computer hardware are CPU, Mouse and Keyboard etc.
What is Software?
A collection
of instructions, procedures and documents that are required to run different
functions of a computer is known as software. Like computer hardware, we can’t
touch computer software. Some essential examples of computer software are MSWord, PowerPoint, Google Chrome and Excel etc.
Table of Contents
The summary
of the post is explained below:
1. Hardware is physical and tangible and
software is the collection of programs and documents.
2. Hardware consists of electronic
components and software consist of programming language.
3. Hardware examples are input, output
devices and software examples are system and application software.
4. Hardware provides a platform for the operation
and software performs different tasks.
5. We have to replace the hardware with a
new one and we can reinstall the software.
6. Hardware is manufactured and software
is developed.
7. Hardware is tangible and software is
non-tangible.
8. The performance of hardware
depreciates whereas, the performance of software doesn’t depreciate.
9. Viruses don’t attack hardware
whereas, viruses attack on the software.
10. Hardware is non-transferable and
software is transferable.
To learn
these points in detail, you should scroll down the page.
Difference Between Software and Hardware in Tabular Form
Difference Between Software and Hardware
After
getting an idea about the basic definitions of computer hardware and software,
we are in a better position to understand the differences between software and
hardware of the computer. Their differences along with the basis of
differentiation are explained below;
Related
post:
1.
Difference Between Definitions of Software and Hardware
Ø
Hardware
Hardware
refers to all the physical and tangible parts of a computer. These parts of the
computer are helpful for us to store information and to execute the software.
Ø
Software
A collection
of programs, documents and codes that are required to interact with the
computer systems is known as software. Generally, it is a program that is
required for a computer system to perform different kinds of tasks.
2.
Difference Between the Development of Software
and Hardware
Ø
Hardware
We can
develop computer hardware with the help of electronic components and other
materials.
Ø
Software
We can
develop computer software with the help of a computer programming language. For
this reason, we have to develop computer software by writing instructions in
the programming language.
3.
Difference Between Types of Software and Hardware
Ø
Hardware
There are
different kinds of computer hardware like input devices (devices that are used
to enter data into computer system like Mouse, Keyboard and Scanner etc),
output devices (devices that are used to show output on the computer system
like monitor, speaker and printer etc), control devices, processing unit and
storage devices etc.
Ø
Software
Like
hardware, there are also different kinds of computer software like programming
software (that is helpful for the developers to develop other software and
computer applications), system software (system software is required to run
computer hardware and applications) and application software (it is a program
or a set of programs that are designed for the end-users) etc.
4.
Difference Between the Functionality of Software
and Hardware
Ø
Hardware
The main
function of computer hardware is to provide a platform for the operation of
computer software.
Ø
Software
The main
function of computer software is to enable the computer user to perform
different tasks with the help of computer software.
5.
Replacement
While using
computer software and hardware, there is a possibility that it may be damaged.
Under such a situation, we can repair computer software and hardware in the
following ways;
Ø
Hardware
If computer
hardware is damaged, we must replace it with a new one.
Ø
Software
We can
easily replace computer software just by reinstalling it.
6.
Difference Between Examples of Software and Hardware
Ø
Hardware
The main
examples of computer hardware are CPU, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speaker and
Printer etc.
Ø
Software
The main
examples of computer software are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft
Windows, MS Office and Google Apps etc.
7.
Manufacturing and Development
Ø
Hardware
Computer
hardware is manufactured.
Ø
Software
Computer
software is developed and engineered by software engineers.
8.
Difference Between the Nature of Software and Hardware
Ø
Hardware
The nature
of computer hardware is tangible and physical.
Ø
Software
The nature
of computer software is non-tangible and logical.
9.
Difference Between Inter-Dependency of Software
and Hardware
Software and
hardware depend upon each other in the following ways;
Ø
Hardware
If we want
to start the functionality of computer hardware, we must load computer software
correctly on it.
Ø
Software
If we want
to operate specific computer software, it is also necessary for us to install
that software on specific hardware.
10. Difference
Between Wear and Tear of Software and Hardware
Ø
Hardware
Over time,
the performance of computer hardware depreciates.
Ø
Software
There will
be no chance in depreciation of the computer software over time. Anyhow, if you
are using specific computer software constantly for a long period, there is a
possibility that there may appear bugs in this software.
11. Virus
Attacks
There is
also the different impact of the virus attacks on hardware and software.
Ø
Hardware
There is no
direct impact of the virus attacks on computer hardware.
Ø
Software
These virus
attacks can last direct impacts on computer software programs and applications.
12. Difference
Between the Transformation of Hardware and Software
Ø
Hardware
We can't
transfer computer hardware from one place to another place in the form of
electrical signals.
Ø
Software
We can
transfer computer software from one place to another place in the form of
electrical signals.
After
understanding the main difference between hardware and software, it is also
necessary for you to get answers to the following question.
How Do Hardware and Software Work Together?
Computer
hardware and computer software depend upon each other. Anyhow, we can run
computer hardware without computer software but we can’t run computer software
without computer hardware. For example, if you have a video game in the form of
computer software, you can’t operate it without computer hardware. Its reason
is that for the operation of the computer software there requires memory,
processors, video cards and sound cards etc.
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