Hardware, in the computer world, refers to the physical components that make up a computer system.

There are many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside, and connected to the outside,
of a computer.
Here are some common individual computer hardware components that you'll often find inside a
modern computer case:
Motherboard
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Power Supply
Video Card
Hard Drive (HDD)
Solid-State Drive (SSD)
Optical Drive (e.g. BD/DVD/CD drive)
Card Reader (SD/SDHC, CF, etc.)
Here is some common hardware that you might find connected to the outside of a computer:
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Battery Backup (UPS)
Printer
Speakers
Here is some less common computer hardware, either because these pieces are now usually
integrated into other devices or because they've been replaced with newer technology:
Sound Card
Network Interface Card (NIC)
Expansion Card (Firewire, USB, Thunderbolt, etc.)
Hard Drive Controller Card
Analog Modem
Scanner
Floppy Disk Drive
Joystick
Webcam
Microphone
Tape Drive
Zip Drive
The following hardware is referred to as network hardware and various pieces are often part of a
home or business network:
Digital Modem (e.g. Cable Modem, DSL Modem, etc.)
Router
Network Switch
Access Point
Repeater
Bridge
Print Server
Firewall
Network hardware isn't as clearly defined as some other types of computer hardware. For example,
many home routers will often act as a combination router, switch, and firewall.
In addition to all the items listed above, there's more computer hardware that I like to callauxiliary
hardware, of which a computer might have none, or several, of some kinds:
Fan (CPU, GPU, Case, etc.)
Heat Sink
Data Cable
Power Cable
CMOS Battery
Daughterboard



Software is a program that enables a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical
components of the system (hardware).
This includes application software such as a word processor, which enables a user to perform a task, and
system software such as an operating system, which enables other software to run properly, by
interfacing with hardware and with other software.
Practical computer systems divide software into three major classes: system software, programming
software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.
Computer software has to be "loaded" into the computer's storage (such as a hard drive, memory, or
RAM).
Once the software is loaded, the computer is able to execute the software.
Computers operate by executing the computer program.
This involves passing instructions from the application software, through the system software, to the
hardware which ultimately receives the instruction as machine code.
Each instruction causes the computer to carry out an operation -- moving data, carrying out a
computation, or altering the control flow of instructions.


Computer software, or simply software, also known as computer programs, is the non-tangible
component of computers. Computer software contrasts with computer hardware, which is the
physical component of computers. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither
can be realistically used without the other.
Computer software includes all computer programs regardless of their architecture; for
example, executable files, libraries and scripts are computer software. Yet, it shares their mutual
properties: software consists of clearly defined instructions that upon execution, instructs hardware
to perform the tasks for which it is designed. Software is stored incomputer memory and cannot be
touched, just as a 3D model shown in an illustration cannot be touched.
[1]

At the lowest level, executable code consists of machine language instructions specific to an
individual processor typically a central processing unit (CPU). A machine languageconsists of
groups of binary values signifying processor instructions that change the state of the computer from
its preceding state. For example, an instruction may change the value stored in a particular storage
location inside the computer an effect that is not directly observable to the user. An instruction may
also (indirectly) cause something to appear on a display of the computer system a state change
which should be visible to the user. The processor carries out the instructions in the order they are
provided, unless it is instructed to "jump" to a different instruction, or interrupted.
Software is usually written in high-level programming languages that are easier and more efficient
for humans to use (closer to natural language) than machine language.
[2]
High-level languages are
compiled or interpreted into machine language object code. Software may also be written in a low-
level assembly language, essentially, a vaguely mnemonicrepresentation of a machine language
using a natural language alphabet. Assembly language is converted into object code via
an assembler.
Contents
[hide]
1 History
2 Types of software
o 2.1 Purpose, or domain of use
o 2.2 Nature, or domain of execution
o 2.3 Programming tools
3 Software topics
o 3.1 Architecture
o 3.2 Execution
o 3.3 Quality and reliability
o 3.4 License
o 3.5 Patents
4 Design and implementation
5 Industry and organizations
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
History[edit]
Main article: History of software
Types of software[edit]
See also: List of software categories


A diagram showing how theoperating system software andapplication software are layered on a typical desktop
computer. The arrows indicate information flow.
On virtually all computer platforms, software can be grouped into a few broad categories.
Purpose, or domain of use[edit]
Based on the goal, computer software can be divided into:
Application software uses the computer system to perform useful work or
provide entertainment functions beyond the basic operation of the computer itself.
System software is designed to operate the computer hardware, to provide basic functionality,
and to provide a platform for running application software.
[3]
System software includes:
Operating system, an essential collection of computer programs that manages resources
and provides common services for other software. Supervisory programs, boot
loaders, shells and window systems are core parts of operating systems. In practice, an
operating system comes bundled with additional software (including application software) so
that a user can potentially do some work with a computer that only has an operating system.
Device driver, a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that
is attached to a computer. Each device needs at least one corresponding device driver; thus
a computer needs more than one device driver.
Utilities, software designed to assist users in maintenance and care of their computers.
Malicious software or malware, computer software developed to harm and disrupt computers.
As such, malware is undesirable. Malware is closely associated with computer-related crimes,
though some malicious programs may have been designed as practical jokes.
Nature, or domain of execution[edit]
Desktop applications such as web browsers and Microsoft Office, as well
as smartphone and tablet applications (called "apps").
Server software
Scripts, such as JavaScript scripts are pieces of software traditionally embedded in web
pages that are run directly inside the web browser when a web page is loaded, without the need
for a web browser plugin. Software written in other programming languages can also be run
within the web browser if the software is either translated into JavaScript, or if a web browser
plugin that supports that language is installed; the most common example of the latter
is ActionScript scripts, which are supported by the Adobe Flashplugin.
Web applications usually run on the web server and output dynamically generated web pages to
web browsers, using e.g. PHP, Java or ASP.NET, or even JavaScript that runs on the server. In
modern times these commonly include some JavaScript to be run in the web browser as well, in
which case they typically run partly on the server, partly in the web browser.
Plugins and extensions are software that extends or modifies the functionality of another piece
of software, and require that software be used in order to function;
Embedded software resides as firmware within embedded systems, devices dedicated to a
single use or a few uses such as cars and televisions (although some embedded devices such
as wireless chipsets can themselves be part of an ordinary, non-embedded computer system
such as a PC or smartphone).
[4]
In the embedded system context there is sometimes no clear
distinction between the system software and the application software. However, some
embedded systems run embedded operating systems, and these systems do retain the
distinction between system software and application software (although typically there will only
be one, fixed, application which is always ran).
Microcode is a special, relatively obscure type of embedded software which tells the
processor itself how to execute machine code, so it is actually a lower level than machine
code.
[5]
It is typically proprietary to the processor manufacturer, and any necessary correctional
microcode software updates are supplied by them to users (which is much cheaper than
shipping replacement processor hardware). Thus an ordinary programmer would not expect to
ever have to deal with it.
Programming tools[edit]
Main article: Programming tool
Programming tools are software in the form of programs or applications that software
developers (also known as programmers, coders, hackers or software engineers) use to
create, debug, maintain (i.e. improve or fix), or otherwise support software. Software is written in one
or more programming languages; there are many programming languages in existence, and each
has at least one implementation, each of which consists of its own set of programming tools. These
tools may be relatively self-contained programs such ascompilers, debuggers, interpreters, linkers,
and text editors, that can be combined together to accomplish a task; or they may form an integrated
development environment (IDE), which combines much or all of the functionality of such self-
contained tools. IDEs may do this by either invoking the relevant individual tools or by re-
implementing their functionality in a new way. An IDE can make it easier to do specific tasks, such
as searching in files in a particular project. Many programming language implementations provide
the option of using both individual tools or an IDE.
Software topics[edit]
Architecture[edit]
See also: Software architecture
Users often see things differently than programmers. People who use modern general purpose
computers (as opposed to embedded systems, analog computers andsupercomputers) usually see
three layers of software performing a variety of tasks: platform, application, and user software.
Platform software: Platform includes the firmware, device drivers, an operating system, and
typically a graphical user interface which, in total, allow a user to interact with the computer and
its peripherals (associated equipment). Platform software often comes bundled with the
computer. On a PC one will usually have the ability to change the platform software.
Application software: Application software or Applications are what most people think of when
they think of software. Typical examples include office suites and video games.Application
software is often purchased separately from computer hardware. Sometimes applications are
bundled with the computer, but that does not change the fact that they run as independent
applications. Applications are usually independent programs from the operating system, though
they are often tailored for specific platforms. Most users think of compilers, databases, and other
"system software" as applications.
User-written software: End-user development tailors systems to meet users' specific needs.
User software include spreadsheet templates and word processor templates. Even email filters
are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how
important it is. Depending on how competently the user-written software has been integrated
into default application packages, many users may not be aware of the distinction between the
original packages, and what has been added by co-workers.
Execution[edit]
Main article: Execution (computing)
Computer software has to be "loaded" into the computer's storage (such as the hard
drive or memory). Once the software has loaded, the computer is able to execute the software. This
involves passing instructions from the application software, through the system software, to the
hardware which ultimately receives the instruction as machine code. Each instruction causes the
computer to carry out an operation moving data, carrying out a computation, or altering the control
flow of instructions.
Data movement is typically from one place in memory to another. Sometimes it involves moving data
between memory and registers which enable high-speed data access in the CPU. Moving data,
especially large amounts of it, can be costly. So, this is sometimes avoided by using "pointers" to
data instead. Computations include simple operations such as incrementing the value of a variable
data element. More complex computations may involve many operations and data elements
together.
Quality and reliability[edit]
Main articles: Software quality, Software testing and Software reliability
Software quality is very important, especially for commercial and system software like Microsoft
Office, Microsoft Windows and Linux. If software is faulty (buggy), it can delete a person's work,
crash the computer and do other unexpected things. Faults and errors are called "bugs." Software is
often also a victim to what is known as software aging, the progressive performance degradation
resulting from a combination of unseen bugs. Many bugs are discovered and eliminated (debugged)
through software testing. However, software testing rarely if ever eliminates every bug; some
programmers say that "every program has at least one more bug" (Lubarsky's Law).
[citation needed]
All
major software companies, such as Microsoft, Novell and Sun Microsystems, have their own
software testing departments with the specific goal of just testing. Software can be tested
through unit testing, regression testing and other methods, which are done manually, or most
commonly, automatically, since the amount of code to be tested can be quite large. For
instance,NASA has extremely rigorous software testing procedures for many operating systems and
communication functions. Many NASA-based operations interact and identify each other through
command programs called software. This enables many people who work at NASA to check and
evaluate functional systems overall. Programs containing command software enable hardware
engineering and system operations to function much easier together.
License[edit]
Main article: Software license
The software's license gives the user the right to use the software in the licensed environment.
Some software comes with the license when purchased off the shelf, or an OEM license when
bundled with hardware. Other software comes with a free software license, granting the recipient the
rights to modify and redistribute the software. Software can also be in the form
of freeware or shareware.
Patents[edit]
Main articles: Software patent and Software patent debate
Software can be patented in some but not all countries; however, software patents can be
controversial in the software industry with many people holding different views about it. The
controversy over software patents is about specific algorithms or techniques that the software
contains, which may not be duplicated by others and considered intellectual property and copyright
infringement depending on the severity.
Design and implementation[edit]
Main articles: Software development, Computer programming and Software engineering
Design and implementation of software varies depending on the complexity of the software. For
instance, design and creation of Microsoft Word software will take much more time than designing
and developing Microsoft Notepad because of the difference in functionalities in each one.
Software is usually designed and created (coded/written/programmed) in integrated development
environments (IDE) like Eclipse, Emacs and Microsoft Visual Studio that can simplify the process
and compile the program. As noted in different section, software is usually created on top of existing
software and the application programming interface (API) that the underlying software provides
like GTK+, JavaBeans or Swing. Libraries (APIs) are categorized for different purposes. For
instance, JavaBeans library is used for designingenterprise applications, Windows Forms library is
used for designing graphical user interface (GUI) applications like Microsoft Word, and Windows
Communication Foundation is used for designing web services. Underlying computer
programming concepts like quicksort, hash table, array, and binary tree can be useful to creating
software. When a program is designed, it relies on the API. For instance, if a user is designing a
Microsoft Windows desktop application, he/she might use the .NET Windows Forms library to design
the desktop application and call its APIs like Form1.Close() and Form1.Show()
[6]
to close or open the
application and write the additional operations him/herself that it need to have. Without these APIs,
the programmer needs to write these APIs him/herself. Companies like Sun Microsystems, Novell,
and Microsoft provide their own APIs so that many applications are written using their software
libraries that usually have numerous APIs in them.
Computer software has special economic characteristics that make its design, creation, and
distribution different from most other economic goods.
[specify][7][8]

A person who creates software is called a programmer, software engineer or software developer,
terms that all have a similar meaning.
Industry and organizations[edit]
Main article: Software industry
A great variety of software companies and programmers in the world comprise a software industry.
Software can be quite a profitable industry: Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoftwas the richest
person in the world in 2009 largely by selling the Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office software
products. The same goes for Larry Ellison, largely through hisOracle database software. Through
time the software industry has become increasingly specialized.
Non-profit software organizations include the Free Software Foundation, GNU Project and Mozilla
Foundation. Software standard organizations like the W3C, IETF develop software standards so that
most software can interoperate through standards such as XML, HTML, HTTP or FTP.
Other well-known large software companies include Novell, SAP, Symantec, Adobe Systems,
and Corel, while small companies often provide innovation.
See also[edit]


algorithm (l gr m)

n.
1. a set of rules for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, as for finding the greatest common divis
or.
2. a sequence of steps designed for programming a computer to solve a specific problem.