Computer Hardware and Software are essential parts of a Computer . Hardware and Software make a System compatible with the user. Now we are going to discuss the basic differences between Computer Hardware and Computer Software.

Computer Hardware

Hardware is the physical components of a computer. Computer Hardware is any part of the computer that we can touch. Examples of hardware in a computer are the Processor, Memory Devices, Monitor, Printer, Keyboard, Mouse, and Central Processing Unit.

Types of Computer Hardware

Input Devices
Output Devices
Storage Devices
Internal Component

1. Input Devices: Input Devices are those devices through which a user enters data and information into the Computer or User interacts with the Computer. Input Devices are Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner,Microphone,Joystick,Touchscreen etc.

2. Output Devices: Output Devices are devices that are used to show the result of the task performed by the user. Output Devices are Monitors, Printers, Speakers,Headphones/Earphones,Projector, etc.

3. Storage Devices: Storage Devices are devices that are used for storing data and they are also known as Secondary Storage Data. Examples of Storage Devices are CDs, DVDs, Hard Disk,Solid-State Drive (SSD),USB Flash Drive,Memory Card etc

4. Internal Component: Internal Components consists of important hardware devices present in the System. Internal Components are the CPU, Motherboard,Random Access Memory (RAM),Storage Devices,Power Supply Unit (PSU),Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) etc.

Computer Software

Software is a collection of instructions, procedures, and documentation that performs different tasks on a computer system. The code can be machine-level code or code written for an operating system. software are MS- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Chrome, Photoshop, MySQL, etc.

Types of Computer Software

System Software
Application Software

1. System Software: System Software is a component of Computer Software that directly operates with Computer Hardware which has the work to control the Computer’s Internal Functioning and also takes responsibility for controlling Hardware Devices such as Printers, Storage Devices, etc. Types of System Software include Operating systems, Language processors, and Device Drivers.

2. Application Software: Application Software are the software that works the basic operations of the computer. It performs a specific task for users. Software includes Word Processors, Spreadsheets, etc. Types of Application software include General Purpose Software, Customized Software, etc.

Difference Between Hardware and Software

Parameters	Hardware	Software
Definition	Hardware is a physical part of the computer that causes the processing of data.	Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer exactly what to do.
Development	It is manufactured.	They develop and engineer it.
Dependency	Hardware cannot perform any task without software.	Hardware is necessary for the execution of the software.
Process of creating	Electronic and other materials are used to create hardware.	Created by utilizing a computer language to write instructions.
Tangible	Hardware is a physical electronic device, that can be touched.	Software is not a physical, it cannot touch but only can see them.
Durability	Hardware typically wears out over time.	It may contain flaws and glitches.
Types	1. Input Devices 2. Output Devices 3. Storage Devices 4. Internal Components.	1. System software 2. Application software.
Virus effect	Hardware is not affected by computer viruses.	Computer viruses affect software.

Machine-Level language	Only machine-level language is known to be understood by hardware.	The program accepts human-readable input, interprets it in machine-level language, and sends it to hardware for additional processing.
Replacement	If the hardware is damaged, it is replaced with a new one.	If we can reinstall the backup copy, we can rectify the software’s damage.
Failures	Dust, overheating, humidity, and other factors are commonly responsible for hardware failures.	Overloading, systematic error, major-minor version error are commonly responsible for software failures.
Examples	Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer, CPU, Hard disk, RAM, ROM, Graphic Card etc.	MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop etc.