Computer Science: Hardware and Software (2024)

Lesson 2: Hardware and Software

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Hardware and software

Hardware and software are two terms you've probably heard of at some point or another. The odds are high that you use both on a daily basis, whether it's with your smartphone or personal computer. Let's take a deeper look at what these two things are and why they're important.

Watch the video below to learn more about hardware and software.

Hardware is any element of a computer that's physical. This includes things like monitors, keyboards, and also the insides of devices, like microchips and hard drives.

Computer Science: Hardware and Software (1)

Software is anything that tells hardware what to do and how to do it, including computer programs and apps on your phone. Video games, photo editors, and web browsers are just a few examples.

Computer Science: Hardware and Software (2)

Hardware and software are different from each other, but they also need one another in order to function. Let's look at an example of this using a smartphone. In this case, the hardware would be the physical phone itself, and the software would be its operating system and apps.

If we were to take away the software, we would just have a dead phone in our hands. It wouldn't be able to make calls, text, or go online because it's not receiving any instructions.

Computer Science: Hardware and Software (3)

On the other hand, let's say we have no hardware, meaning there's no actual phone. If all we have are the programs, we just have a bunch of instructions but nothing to give these instructions to.

Computer Science: Hardware and Software (4)

The big picture here is that hardware needs software to tell it what to do, but software also needs hardware in order to act out its directions. When you combine the two, you can do all sorts of things, whether you're using a smartphone, computer, or any other type of device.

Computer Science: Hardware and Software (5)

Technology will continue to evolve. We may not be sure how it will look in 100 years, but hardware and software will be there serving as its foundation.

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Computer Science: Hardware and Software (2024)

FAQs

What is the short answer to software and hardware? ›

A computer system is divided into two categories: Hardware and Software. Hardware refers to the physical and visible components of the system such as a monitor, CPU, keyboard and mouse. Software, on the other hand, refers to a set of instructions which enable the hardware to perform a specific set of tasks.

What is the answer to computer hardware? ›

Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), motherboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, and computer case. It includes external devices such as a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers.

What is computer science best answer? ›

Computer science is the study of computers and computational systems. It is a broad field which includes everything from the algorithms that make up software to how software interacts with hardware to how well software is developed and designed.

How tough is computer science? ›

Learning the discipline of Computer Science is a hard and difficult endeavor for most students. However, if you are willing to invest the time and learn serious time management skills, most students can successfully learn the discipline and pursue successful careers in Computer Science fields.

What are the 5 hardware and 5 software examples? ›

Examples of hardware are RAM, ROM, Printer, Monitor, Mouse, Hard disk and more. Examples of software are Google Chrome, MySQL, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Notepad, Photoshop and more.

What are the three main types of software? ›

There are different types of software that can run on a computer: system software, utility software, and application software.

What are the highest paying jobs in computer science? ›

Some of the highest-paying computer science jobs include software architect, data scientist, machine learning engineer, blockchain developer, and cybersecurity engineer. These roles offer lucrative salaries and tremendous growth opportunities.

What is computer science for dummies? ›

Computer science is the field of study that focuses on computation, information, and automation using computers and computational systems. Computer scientists use various tools, programming languages, algorithms, and computer hardware and software to design, develop, and analyze computational processes and systems.

Why is computer science so powerful? ›

Computer science is the process of solving complex organizational problems using technical solutions. The reason this is such an important field is that computers and technology have been integrated into virtually every economic sector, industry, and even organization operating in the modern economy.

Is it ok to struggle in computer science? ›

Computer science is a field that involves a lot of trial and error, debugging, and failure. However, these are not signs of weakness or incompetence, but rather opportunities for learning and growth.

Is CS harder than engineering? ›

Both programs are challenging and require a strong foundation in mathematics and science. Computer science may seem harder if you prefer hands-on work, while computer engineering may be tougher if you're more inclined towards software.

What's the hardest part of computer science? ›

Hardest skills to learn in computer science?
  • Quantum Computing:
  • Machine Learning and Deep Learning:
  • Compiler Design:
  • Operating Systems Internals:
  • Cryptography:
  • Distributed Systems:
  • Algorithmic Complexity and Analysis:
  • Network Security:

What is hardware and software in simple word? ›

Hardware refers to the computer's tangible components or delivery systems that store and run the written instructions provided by the software. The software is the intangible part of the device that lets the user interact with the hardware and command it to perform specific tasks.

What is software in short answer? ›

Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks. It is the opposite of hardware, which describes the physical aspects of a computer. Software is a generic term used to refer to applications, scripts and programs that run on a device.

What is software vs hardware for dummies? ›

The software is what makes the hardware work or lets you get things done, such as writing documents with Microsoft Word or playing a Solitaire game. Think of computer hardware as being like your television set and the shows that you watch as being like the software.

What do you mean by hardware in short answer? ›

In computer, hardware refers to all the physical parts of a computer, such as: The central processing unit (CPU), motherboard, monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, sound card, graphics card, computer data storage, etc.

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