In this technology-driven age you are inevitably going to hear terms such as “hardware” and “software” and be expected to know what they mean.
These two terms are the most basic categories of technology in existence, into which everything else is divided. In other words, they’re kinda important.
I’m sure that, at one time or another, we have all heard the term hardware, used in reference to tools or machinery. Computer hardware is not much different; it refers to the physical components of technology, such as your computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, cell phone, tablet, etc.
I like to think of hardware as any tangible object that you can see, feel or smell. Just to be clear, if you ever smell it, and it smells like burnt plastic or fried circuits, please don’t hesitate; unplug it and/or turn it off!!
Software refers to the means of instruction that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it.
Software is not tangible; it is written and stored in the hardware’s memory.
Programs, applications and operating systems are all practical examples of software.
Hardware and software are generally synonymous; that is to say, for now they’re stuck with each other.
So far we have not figured out how to have software without hardware to install it on.
Hardware is pretty much useless without something installed on it to make it perform.
If you are grateful for your computer, tablet, phone, or any other electronic device, you are appreciating both the hardware and the software available to us.
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