Overview 📘Â
In computing, hardware and software work together to make a computer function. Hardware refers to the physical parts you can touch, such as the CPU, RAM, and keyboard. Software is the set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. There are two main types of software: system software, like operating systems, and application software, like word processors and web browsers.Â
The operating system manages the hardware and provides a platform for application software to run. Without software, the hardware would do nothing; without hardware, the software would have nothing to run on. Understanding the difference and how they work together is key to knowing how a computer system operates.Â
The CPU carries out software instructions using a cycle called the fetch-decode-execute cycle. Overall, computers rely on both parts working in harmony.Â
Hardware is the physical part of a computer (e.g. CPU, RAM, mouse).
Software is the code or instructions that control the hardware.