These concepts include computer hardware, software, databases, artificial intelligence, ecommerce, strategic applications, systems analysis and ethics. It also includes all the parts inside the computer case, such as the hard disk drive, motherboard, video car. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk, mouse, cpu, etc. Most activities can be described in terms of the inputprocessoutput ipo cycle.
Learn about and revise computer systems with this bbc bitesize computer science aqa study guide. The software is data thats stored electronically, like an operating system or a video editing tool, which runs on the hardware. Whats the difference between hardware and software. Hardware meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. A computer therefore, is a collection of electronic parts body with a set of instructions controlling it mind. Hardware is a comprehensive term for all of the physical parts of a computer, as distinguished from the data it contains or operates on, and the software that provides instructions for the hardware to acoomplish tasks.
Computer software, or simply software, is a collection of data or computer instructions that tell the computer how to work. Computer hardware means all computer and other electronic data processing hardware of a loan party, whether now or hereafter owned, licensed or leased by such loan party, including, without limitation, all integrated computer systems, central processing units, memory units, display terminals, printers, features, computer elements, card readers, tape drives, hard and soft disk drives, cables. It is the programming language that makes hardware functional. Everything you need to know about computer hardware. A typical computer system consists of a computer case, a power supply unit, a motherboard, a central processing unit cpu, main memory, and a hard disk drive. Computer hardware definition computer software and. A perfect example of hardware is the screen on which you are viewing this page.
Hardware definition the tech terms computer dictionary. Software is a general term for the various kinds of program s used to operate computer s and related devices. Software includes all different software programs on a computer, such as applications and the operating system. Although a computer can function only when both hardware and software are working together, the speed of a system will largely rely on the hardware used. Abbreviated as hw, hardware is best described as any physical component of a computer system that contains a circuit board, ics, or other electronics. Browse the list of 572 computer hardware abbreviations with their meanings and definitions.
Examples of hardware in a computer are the processor, memory devices, monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, and the central processing unit. Computer software is programming code executed on a computer processor. Computer repair is a broad field encompassing many tools, techniques and procedures used to repair computer hardware, software or networkinternet problems. Physical dimm modules that are installed into the appropriate slots. Hardware vs software difference and comparison diffen. Computer hardware is any physical device used in or with your machine, whereas software is a collection of programming code installed on your computers hard drive. Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitute a computer system. Computer cpu processors provide processing power when building a new computer or upgrading an old one, focus on the computers central processing unit cpu first, as it defines most of the components a computer can use. The term hardware distinguishes the tangible aspects of a computing device from software, which consists of written instructions that tell physical components what to do.
Software, on the other hand, refers to the programs that operate from the computer. Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe any of the physical components of an analog or digital computer. Computer hardware is a general term to describe all the physical parts of a computer system. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices. Generally located right beside or very near to the cpu socket in most desktop pc s. The motherboard is made up of even more parts that power and control the computer. Quite simply, computer hardware is the physical components that a computer system requires to function. A computer system isnt complete unless theres also software, which is different than hardware. Every computer is composed of two basic components. The pages and the ink are the hardware, while the words, sentences, paragraphs, and the overall meaning are the software. For computers, hardware refers to the physical property that makes up a system. All software utilizes at least one hardware device to operate. Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and instructions, often broken into two major categories.
In information technology, hardware is the physical aspect of computers, telecommunications, and other devices. An operating system is software intended to provide a predictable and dependable layer for other programmers to. Teaching mis with small business cases businesses, for instance, spent three times as much on software as they did for computer hardware in the 1990s. Software is a program that enables a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system hardware.
The term hardware describes the physical aspects of computers and related devices. Computer software definition of computer software by the. The part which activates the physical components cs alled software. Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. In contrast to software, hardware is a physical entity. The term arose as a way to distinguish the box and the electronic circuitry and components of a computer from the program you put in it to make it do things.
It may also include memory cards and other intricate pieces that contribute to the operation of the motherboard. What are the differences between hardware and software. The computer is a two part system consisting of a body that is the hardware and a mind that is the software. This is in contrast to physical hardware, from which the system is built and actually performs the work. Computer hardware definition of computer hardware by the. Computer hardware and software it guide part 5 midshire it. Hardware refers to the physical pieces of a computer while software refers to the programs stored within it. Computer software, also called software, is a set of instructions and its documentations that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a task. Dictionary of hardware terms the tech terms computer. It will also determine what you can do with the computer.
The concept of hardware and software is explained in detail below. This includes things like monitors, keyboards, and also the insides of devices, like microchips and hard drives. It encompasses both the study of theoretical algorithms and the practical problems involved in implementing them through computer hardware and software. Computer hardware is the collection of physical parts of a computer system. Computer hardware definition of computer hardware by. Examples of hardware in a computer are the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the central processing unit. In other words, hardware is something you can hold in your hand, whereas software cannot be held in your hand. It has the permanent shape and structure, which cannot be modified. In this video all parts of computer hardware includes the computer.
Software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures, and. This may include obvious things like the keyboard and mouse. Software is defined as the virtual programs that run on your computer. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and ram.
A computer without software is like a book full of blank pages you need software to make the computer useful just as. Ultimately, computer software is the systems logic computer users. Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the case, central. The online computer hardware and software company is expanding operations from its previous location in south river and plans to utilize the new space for distribution purposes. Computer repair is the process of identifying, troubleshooting and resolving problems and issues in a faulty computer. This includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. There are many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside, and connected to the outside, of a computer. Computer hardware components and english meaning with a picture, teach your learner the computer hardware parts vocabulary and let them improve their vocabulary with necessary vocabulary tutorial. Difference between hardware and software geeksforgeeks. External hardware devices include monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners.
You can touch hardware, but you cannot touch software. The meaning of the term has evolved to mean a storedprogram computer in which an instruction fetch and a data operation cannot occur at the same. Computer hardware is the collection of physical parts of a computer system called computer hardware. It encompasses everything with a circuit board that operates within a pc or laptop. The term hardware refers to mechanical device that makes up computer.
Computer software is the term used to define the sets of code, data, and instructions stored on the computers hard drive that operate the machine from behind the. Diagnostic software is defined as computer programs that determine problems and issues in hardware and software on the computer. Computer hardware financial definition of computer hardware. The physical components of a computer are the hardware, and the digital programs running on the hardware are the software. The external agents such as dust, mouse, insects, humidity, heat, etc. By contrast, software is the set of instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. Computer hardware legal definition of computer hardware. The code can be machinelevel code, or code written for an operating system. Computer hardware may sometimes be seen abbreviated as computer hw. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts that make up the entirety of a computer.
Word processing software uses the computer processor, memory, and hard drive to create and save documents. Computer hardware is the collection of all the parts you can physically touch. For example, a video game, which is software, uses the computer processor, memory, hard drive, and video card to run. Hardware includes the electrical, mechanical, data storage and magnetic components among other parts. Whether it be a monitor, tablet, or smartphone, it is hardware without any hardware, your computer would not exist, and software could not be used. From data storage to output devices, our hardware dictionary offers a glossary of terms you need to know. Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the case, central processing unit cpu, monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, speakers and motherboard. Hardware and software are interconnected, without software, the hardware of a computer. Software is anything that tells hardware what to do and how to do it, including computer programs and apps on your phone. List of all most popular abbreviated computer hardware terms defined. The growth of the computer and consumer electronics industries is driven by a steady stream of advances. It can be modified and reused, as it has no permanent shape and structure. Hardware gets its name due to the fact that its strict when it comes to modifications, whereas software is more.
The definition of computer hardware are the physical pieces that make up a computer including the monitor, keyboard, and cpu. Although a computer can function only when both hardware and software are. Hardware is any element of a computer thats physical. Computer science is the study of both computer hardware and software design. Computer hardware simple english wikipedia, the free. A computer s hardware is comprised of many different parts, but perhaps the most important of these is the motherboard. What is the definition of hardware and software answers. In the domain of the computer hardware, static fields are the name of the component, and for example the price and the code identifying the item within the catalogue.