What distinguishes hardware from software?

What distinguishes hardware from software?

• A. Hardware consists of installed applications
• B. Hardware refers to physical components, software to instructions
• C. Hardware is temporary, software is permanent
• D. Hardware requires programming to function

Answer: (B)

The distinction between hardware and software lies primarily in their fundamental nature. Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or electronic device, such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and hard drives. These components can be touched and interacted with directly. In contrast, software encompasses the programs and applications that provide instructions for the hardware to execute specific tasks. This includes operating systems, applications, and any other sets of instructions that the hardware follows to perform functions. The correct answer highlights this essential difference: hardware is tangible and comprised of physical materials, while software is intangible, consisting of coded instructions and algorithms that operate on the hardware. This understanding is crucial, as it lays the foundation for how computers and devices function overall.

The distinction between hardware and software lies primarily in their fundamental nature. Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or electronic device, such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and hard drives. These components can be touched and interacted with directly. In contrast, software encompasses the programs and applications that provide instructions for the hardware to execute specific tasks. This includes operating systems, applications, and any other sets of instructions that the hardware follows to perform functions.

The correct answer highlights this essential difference: hardware is tangible and comprised of physical materials, while software is intangible, consisting of coded instructions and algorithms that operate on the hardware. This understanding is crucial, as it lays the foundation for how computers and devices function overall.