What is Hardware Its Functions

What is Hardware Introduction, Examples

What is Hardware? In this post you will know what is hardware and how many types are there? If you are interested in computers, then you must have heard about these two words hardware and software. Because these are both the main computer parts, without them the computer does not exist. It is just like a human being without body and mind. That is why if you understand the working of these parts of the computer, then you can easily troubleshoot basic computer problems.

The definition of hardware and its functions are completely different from that of software. But it is also true that it is not one without the other. In fact, hardware performs one type of work of a computer, and software of another type, so in the absence of one, the other is of no use.

In this post you will read about the following topics:-

Topics

What is Hardware?
Hardware Type
difference between hardware and software

So let’s start the post, and understand well, what is hardware.

What is Hardware

The physical parts of the computer that we can see and touch are called “Hardware”. For example Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer, and Motherboard etc. All computer is hardware. Actually hardware is a collective term, which is used to describe computer parts. Hardware is usually directed by the software to execute any command or instructions.

Without Hardware (HW) there is no existence of computer. Because only by meeting them, a computer can be completed. A simple example of this is the screen in which you are reading this article right now, whether it is a computer or a mobile phone, its screen is a hardware.

Computer hardware is divided into two main parts: Internal and External.

Internal Hardware

The internal components are usually not visible to us, because they are present inside the computer case (or cabinet), we have to open the computer to see them. The list of internal hardware is given below –

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Motherboard
• RAM (Random Access Memory)
• ROM (Read Only Memory)
• Hard Drive
• PSU (Power Supply Unit)
• NIC (Network Card)
• Heat Sink (Fan)
• Graphics Card

External Hardware

External components, also called peripheral components, are connected to the computer from the outside. These include input and output devices. Whose list is given below –

• Monitor
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Printer
• Speaker
• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

Types of Hardware

You have already learned that computer hardware refers to the physical parts that make up a computer. We have given you many examples of this above. During the example, you must have seen that it is many, that is why they are divided into different categories. Below Computer Hardware has been classified into four different categories, so that it will be easy for you to understand them.

1 Input Device

Input devices are called hardware devices that perform the function of giving input (data) to the computer. By using them, a user makes contact with the computer and gets his work done by them. Overall, by using them, you are able to control and communicate with the computer. The easiest example of this is your keyboard, which allows the user to input alphanumeric data and commands into the computer. Imagine if the keyboard was not a part of it, you would be able to use the computer. Many computer hardware comes under Input Devices.

Example: Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, and Microphone etc.

2 Output Device

In the category of output devices, those computer hardware comes, which perform the task of making computer data accessible to the user or adapting to it. For example computer screen which we call monitor. Monitor is the main output device of the computer. It does the work of reaching any data to you. That is, whatever instruction you feed into the computer, its output is visible to you through them. It is only through the output device that computers, users and other hardware devices are able to communicate.

Example: Monitor, Printer, Headphones, Speaker, and Projector etc.

3 Processing Device

When you send data to a computer via a keyboard or any other input device, that data passes through an intermediate stage before it is sent to an output device. This is the stage where raw data is converted into information. Processing device is the hardware parts of the computer, which handle this intermediate state. These are also called internal memory devices.

Example: CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and Network Card.

4 Storage Device

It is the hardware that performs the task of maintaining and storing data. Storage device is one of the core components of any computer. It stores all types of data and applications on the computer.

There are two types of storage devices in a computer:

Primary Storage Device – This storage device is used to hold data temporarily. It is quite small in size. Due to which it is internal in the computer. The primary storage device has the fastest data access speed. These include RAM, ROM and Cache Memory.

Secondary Storage Device – These memory devices have large storage capacity. Also, it stores the data permanently. It is present inside or outside the computer. The main examples of these are Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD), Optical Disk Drive, Flash Memory and USB Device.

What is the difference between hardware and software

So far we have known that both Hardware and Software are the most important parts of the computer. It performs different functions for the computer. Due to which there are many differences between them. So let’s understand what is the difference between them.

Hardware

• Hardware is a physical device that is physically attached to a computer.
• You can see and touch computer hardware.
• Hardware is made using physical materials or components.
• It operates under the control of the software.
• If the hardware fails, it can be repaired, or
• Can be replaced with new.
• Computer Virus does not make any difference on the hardware.
• Computer does not exist without hardware, without it it cannot run.

Software

• Software is a set of instructions or programs, which instructs the computer to perform a specific task.
• Software cannot be seen or touched because it is a program.
• Instructions are written in a programming language to make software.
• It controls the operation of the computer.
• If the software ever gets corrupted, you can restore it by reinstalling its backup copy.
• Whereas computer viruses can badly affect the software.
• The computer can run without software, but it will generate many errors and will not output any information.

In short

So hopefully, by reading this article, you must have come to know what is hardware and how many types are there? In this post, we have tried to share complete hardware information with you. How accurate is this attempt, is there an error in this article? Please do let us know in the comments. The suggestions of our readers are very important for us.

In the end, if the post is informative, then please do share it on social media, so that this information can reach other people through you.

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