Concept of Computer Hardware and Software

 HARDWARE -

Computer hardware comprises of the physical components that a computer system requires to function. In simple words hardware are the parts which we can see, we can touch them, feel them. It encompasses everything with a circuit board that operates within a Personal Computer or Laptop; including the motherboard, graphics card, CPU (Central Processing Unit), ventilation fans, webcam, power supply, and so on.

What is Computer Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or other electronic device. These components include things like the central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), storage devices (such as hard drives or solid-state drives), input devices (such as keyboards or mice), output devices (such as displays or printers), and various other components that allow the computer to function. Hardware can be contrasted with software, which refers to the programs and data that are stored on and run by the hardware. Together, hardware and software work together to allow computers and other electronic devices to perform a wide variety of tasks.

SOFTWARE-

A set of instructions given to the computer is known as a program. Program or set of programs are called as software. This helps us to interact with the computer in order to perform a particular task. Software is a generic term used to describe computer programs.

What is Computer Software

Software refers to the programs, data, and other instructions that tell a computer or other electronic device what to do. Examples of software include operating systems like Windows or macOS, productivity software like Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, media players like VLC or iTunes, web browsers like Chrome or Firefox, and countless other programs that are designed to perform specific functions. Software is usually created using programming languages, which are sets of instructions that are used to create the code that makes up the software. When the software is run on a computer or other electronic device, it executes the instructions contained within the code, allowing the device to perform the tasks for which the software was designed.

Categories of a software:

Open source software : It refers to the software which releases code in public domain for anyone to use. The source code can be copied, modified or distributed by other users and organizations. As the software is open to the public, the result is that it constantly updates, improves and expands as more people can work on its improvement. Many states are following FOSS policy i.e. Free Open Source Software Policy and it enabled them to save some million of rupees each year in licensing costs. The Kerala state is in news as they have adopted FOSS policy and saved rupees 300 crore as a license fee for proprietary or closed source software.

Closed source software : It is opposite to Open Source Software and means that the software is used by the proprietary and has a closely guarded code. Only the original authors of organization of a software can access, copy, and alter that software. In case of closed source software, user has to purchase the software before using it.

Computer software can be classified into two types based on its utility:

Application Software

Application software is a program or group of programs designed for end users. Applications software (also called end-user programs) include programs like database programs, word processors, web browsers, presentation software, spreadsheets etc.

System Software 

System Software is a set of instructions required for a computer to work. For Example, Linux Operating system is a program that allows different applications and various components of hardware such as monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard etc. to communicate with each other.

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