Machinery and equipment (CPUs, disk and tape drives, modems, keyboards, printers, scanners, cables, etc.). In operation, a computer is both hardware and software. One is useless without the other. The hardware design specifies the commands it can follow, and the software instructions tell it what to do. See instruction set.
Hardware Is "Storage and Transmission"
The more memory and disk storage a computer has, the more work it can do. The faster memory and disks transfer data and instructions to the CPU, the faster work gets done. A hardware requirement is based on the quantity of data processed and the number of users or applications being served at the same time. How much? How fast?
Software Is "Logic and Language"
Software deals with the details of an ever-changing business and must process transactions in a logical fashion. Languages are used to program the software. The "logic and language" involved in analysis and programming is generally far more complicated than specifying a storage and transmission requirement.
Hardware Is "Storage and Transmission"
The more memory and disk storage a computer has, the more work it can do. The faster memory and disks transfer data and instructions to the CPU, the faster work gets done. A hardware requirement is based on the quantity of data processed and the number of users or applications being served at the same time. How much? How fast?
Software Is "Logic and Language"
Software deals with the details of an ever-changing business and must process transactions in a logical fashion. Languages are used to program the software. The "logic and language" involved in analysis and programming is generally far more complicated than specifying a storage and transmission requirement.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
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