What is software?

Question

I want to know the difference between Software and Hardware

Answer 1

Hardware is the physical computer and all the things that make it up - the CPU, RAM, harddrive, motherboard, etc.

Software is the collective name for instructions that are given to the computer. These can come in the form of CD's or DVD's that you buy at the store, programs that you download off the internet, or (gasp) code that you write yourself!

Answer 2

Hi,

Here is the details for you

Computer Software
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Software, consisting of programs, enables a computer to perform specific tasks, as opposed to its physical components (hardware) which can only do the tasks they are mechanically designed for. The term includes application software such word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to run the necessary services for user-interfaces and applications, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.

Computer Hardware
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Computer hardware is the physical part of a computer,(not to be confused with software which is not physical) including the digital circuitry, as distinguished from the computer software that executes within the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and data, which are "soft" in the sense that they are readily created, modified or erased on the computer. Firmware is a special type of software that rarely, if ever, needs to be changed and so is stored on hardware devices such as read-only memory (ROM) where it is not readily changed (and is therefore "firm" rather than just "soft").

Most computer hardware is not seen by normal users. It is in embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, electrocardiograph machines, compact disc players, and other devices. Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, form only a small minority of computers (about 0.2% of all new computers produced in 2003). See Market statistics.

For complete details..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware

Regards,
Murugesh

Answer 3

Hardware is something like a printer or CD Drive while software is an application or program that you install from a CD or download from the internet.

Answer 4

Hardware is like sheet-metal, you can't alter it, once it's formed. Software is diddle-able, once it's formed. A programmer can go in, because it's "soft" and pliable, and change the instructions so the "soft"ware makes the program tell the computer do a slightly or even vastly different thing

Answer 5

Software, consisting of programs, enables a computer to perform specific tasks, as opposed to its physical components (hardware) which can only do the tasks they are mechanically designed for. The term includes application software such word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to run the necessary services for user-interfaces and applications, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.

Answer 6

hardware you can hold in your hand - i.e. a laptop computer.
software is a "written language" that you can not hold per say. A cd-rom is a delivery method for software, but isn't required. Software can be delivered via email/download etc..

Answer 7

software-program
hardware-the technology it runs on the physical device.

Answer 8

soft ware is soft(imagianry) ;hard ware is hard (physical)