Computer - Hardware

[Sumeet Pawar]

Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of a computer i.e. the components that can be seen and touched.

Examples of Hardware are following:

• Input devices -- keyboard, mouse etc.
• Output devices -- printer, monitor etc.
• Secondary storage devices -- Hard disk, CD, DVD etc.
• Internal components -- CPU, motherboard, RAM etc.

Relationship between Hardware and Software

• Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work together to make a computer produce a useful output.

• Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.

• Hardware without set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.

• To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into the hardware

• Hardware is a one-time expense.

• Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.

• Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.

• A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.

• If hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then software is its 'soul'. Both are complimentary to each other.