12 Differences Between Hardware and Software Explained With Examples

A computer's components can broadly be classified into two categories, which we are sure you have heard of before. Yes, we are talking about hardware and software. Almost all of us use machines that are an amalgamation of these two on a daily basis, for example, smartphones, navigation systems, smart TVs, etc. In this article, we will discuss what is the difference between hardware and software, share examples of hardware and software, and also elaborate on the relationship between them.

What Is Hardware And Software?

Before discussing the difference between hardware and software, let's look at what the terms computer hardware and software mean. The basic definition of both is as follows:

Computer Hardware Components- As the name suggests, this refers to all physical and visible components of the computer and other internal components that are connected to them. Some examples of hardware devices are monitors, keyboards, chips, video cards, memory management/ memory device drivers, the mouse, the central processing unit, network card, etc.

Computer Software- This refers to the collection of instructions/ procedures that tell computers what to do, when, and how to do it. In other words, the software is the execution form of code, which can be machine-language code or code written on an operating system. Some examples of application software are MS Office (like Excel, Word, etc), web browsers (like Chrome), photo editors, video games, etc.

Differences Between Hardware and Software

Now that we have some basic idea about what is hardware and software, let's have a look at the table below where we highlight the key difference between software and hardware..

Basis	Hardware	Software
Basic Definition	It consists of physical devices that make up computers and other electronic devices.	It refers to any sequence of instructions to hardware that directs them to perform various tasks.
Types	There are four primary categories of hardware- output devices, input devices, secondary and primary storage devices, and internal components.	There are two primary types of software- system software and application software.
Development process	It is manufactured with electronics and other physical components.	It is developed, designed, and engineered with help of programming codes.
Components	Hardware is made of electronic components like ICs, crystals, registers, diodes, insulators, boards, etc.	Software is made of codes in programming languages, alphabets, numbers/ alphanumeric symbols, identifiers, etc.
Functioning	It must be integrated with other physical components to function.	It starts functioning as soon as it is installed on the computer.
Damage recovery	When damaged, hardware must be replaced with a new component.	When damaged, software needs to be reinstalled, not replaced.
Tangible	It is tangible since it can be seen and touched.	It is intangible since it does not have a physical presence.
Vulnerability	They are not vulnerable to viruses.	They are vulnerable to viruses, hence the need for antivirus programs.
Durability	Hardware is prone to wear and tear with use.	Software is not prone to wear and tear, however, it may contain flaws and also become outdated over time.
Language	It only understands low-level language or machine language.	It accepts all common programming languages, including both low and high-level languages. That is, it takes human-readable input in programming languages and converts it to machine languages for hardware to execute.
Transferability	Needs to be physically transferred from one place to another.	It can be digital transfer from one place to another via network connections.
Dependency	Hardware can function without software.	The software cannot be executed without hardware.

Now that we know about the difference between hardware and software let's explore the relationship between the two in a bit more detail.

Relationship Between Hardware and Software

The concept of hardware is such that it can turn on without software while the software execution is dependent on hardware. However, hardware without software is not of much use since it is the mode via which we communicate with the hardware. Metaphorically speaking, the hardware is the body, while the software is the heart and soul. Hence, both hardware and software are interconnected, and both are needed for computers (other devices) to perform meaningful tasks.

Examples of Hardware

Some popular types of hardware devices include:

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is the brain of a computer system, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations.
Random Access Memory (RAM): RAM is a type of volatile memory that provides temporary storage for data and program code being actively used by the computer.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD): An HDD is a non-volatile storage device used for long-term data storage. It stores data magnetically on spinning disks.
Solid-State Drive (SSD): An SSD is a type of storage device that uses NAND-based flash memory for data storage, offering faster access times compared to traditional HDDs.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): The GPU is specialized hardware designed to handle graphics-related tasks, such as rendering images and videos.
Motherboard: The motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer, connecting and providing power to various components such as the CPU, RAM, and storage devices.
Printer: A printer is a hardware device that produces a hard copy of digital documents or images on paper.
Router: A router is a networking device that connects different computer networks and directs data traffic between them.
Smartphone: Smartphones are handheld devices that integrate various hardware components, such as a language processor, memory, camera, and display screen, running on an operating system.
Wearable Devices: Examples include smartwatches and fitness trackers, which incorporate sensors, processing devices, and other hardware components.

Examples of Software

As mentioned before, there are two types of software- application software and system software. Some popular examples of software include:

Operating System (OS): Examples include Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. The OS manages hardware resources and provides a user interface for interacting with the computer.
Microsoft Office Suite: Software package including applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for document creation, spreadsheet analysis, and presentations.
Web Browsers: Examples include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, used for accessing and navigating the internet browser.
Antivirus Software: Examples include Norton, McAfee, and Avast, which protect computers from malware, viruses, and other security threats.
Adobe Creative Cloud: Software suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, used for graphic design, photo editing, and video production.
Video Games: Software designed for entertainment, such as games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Call of Duty.
Programming Languages: Examples include Python, Java, and C++ languages, which are used to develop software applications and systems.
Database Management Systems (DBMS): Examples include MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server, used for managing and organizing large datasets.
Web Development Frameworks: Examples include Django (Python), Ruby on Rails (Ruby), and Angular (JavaScript), used for building dynamic and interactive websites.
Media Players: Examples include VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, and iTunes, used for playing audio and video files.

Conclusion

The primary difference between hardware and software is that hardware consists of physical components and other internal components connected to it. And software consists of utility programs/ a set of instructions written in programming languages like C, C++, Python, etc. However, they both are interdependent, and both are needed for the efficient functioning of technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do you understand by terms hardware and software?

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or electronic system. It includes devices such as the CPU, memory, motherboard, hard drive, and peripheral devices like printers and monitors.

Software encompasses the application programs, instructions, and data that tell the hardware how to function. It includes operating systems, applications, and utility software that enable users to perform tasks on a computer.

Q. How many types of hardware are there?

There are four types of hardware, and they are:

Input Devices: They send data to the computer to process. Examples are Mouse, Keyboard, Joysticks, Light Pen, Scanner, Microphone, etc.
Output Devices: They are peripheral devices that receive data from the computer after processing is over. Examples are monitors (Visual Display Units), printers, etc.
Secondary Storage Devices: They store data permanently until the data is deleted or overridden. They comprise non-volatile memory, whose examples are hard disks, CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, etc.
Internal Components: They are directly connected to the computer to perform the main processing functions of the computer. Examples are CPU, RAM, ROM, and motherboard.

Q. How many types of software are there?

There are primarily two types of software, and they are:

1. System Software: It is an interface between hardware and the end users that is important to run the hardware and application software. The processing capability of a computer can be operated, controlled, and extended with the help of system software. It includes:

Operating system- An operating system performs the functions of task management, memory management, file handling, hardware management, etc.
Compilers and Interpreters- They convert a high-level program into machine-understandable or machine-level code.
Assembler- It converts the assembly language program to machine code.
Device Drivers- They control and monitor the functionalities of specific devices such as printers.

2. Application Software: Application software plays an essential role in meeting a particular user's requirements by carrying out organizational tasks. Examples include applications like MS Word to create word documents, Excel to create spreadsheets, Database Management Systems (DBMS) to store data in databases, Paint to create digital paintings, etc.

Q. What is the impact of viruses on hardware and software?

Viruses can severely impact both hardware and software in computing systems. On the software side, they corrupt files, disrupt operations, and render applications unusable. Meanwhile, viruses can indirectly affect hardware by overloading resources, causing overheating, and leading to hardware failures.

Additionally, viruses compromise system security, making hardware vulnerable to unauthorized access and potential manipulation. Robust antivirus measures, regular updates, and safe computing practices are crucial for minimizing the damaging effects of viruses on both hardware and software.

Q. Can hardware function without software?

While certain basic functions of hardware components, such as the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) in a computer, can occur without specific software, most range of hardware requires programming software to perform meaningful tasks.

Hardware acts as the physical platform, including components like the Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and secondary storage devices.
However, it is the software that provides the instructions and data necessary for these hardware components to operate cohesively.
For example, without an operating system (OS), a computer's hardware lacks the guidance needed to manage resources, run applications, and facilitate user interactions.

In essence, the synergy between hardware and software is integral to the functionality of electronic systems, with software serving as the driving force that empowers hardware to execute specific tasks and deliver user experiences.

Q. Which one is more flexible, hardware or software?

Software is generally considered more flexible than hardware. The flexibility of software stems from its intangible and programmable nature. Unlike hardware, which consists of physical components with fixed functionalities, software is a collection of instructions and code that can be easily modified, updated, or replaced. Changes to software can be implemented without requiring physical alterations to the underlying hardware.

This brings us to the end of our discussion on the difference between hardware and software. You might also be interested in reading the following:

Shivani Goyal

Manager, Content

I am an economics graduate using my qualifications and life skills to observe & absorb what life has to offer. A strong believer in 'Don't die before you are dead' philosophy, at Unstop I am producing content that resonates and enables you to be #Unstoppable. When I don't have to be presentable for the job, I'd be elbow deep in paint/ pencil residue, immersed in a good read or socializing in the flesh.