Ravi got a new computer for his birthday. He could touch the screen, the keyboard, and the mouse. But when he opened a game or typed a letter, he could not touch those — they were just on the screen. This is the difference between hardware and software!
A computer is made up of two main parts: hardware (the physical parts you can touch) and software (the programs that run on the computer). Both are needed for the computer to work.
Hardware refers to all the physical parts of a computer — the parts you can see and touch.
| Hardware | What it is | Example in daily life |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor | The display screen | Meena watches her online class on the monitor |
| Keyboard | Used for typing | Arjun types his essay on the keyboard |
| Mouse | Pointing and clicking device | Sita clicks on icons using the mouse |
| CPU | The brain — processes all instructions | The CPU is inside the computer box |
| Printer | Prints documents on paper | Ravi's father prints his office report |
| Speakers | Produce sound | Meena listens to a Hindi poem through the speakers |
Software refers to the programs and instructions that tell the computer what to do. You cannot touch software — it exists as data inside the computer.
Hardware = Physical parts you CAN touch (monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU)
Software = Programs you CANNOT touch (MS Word, games, Windows)
Hardware without software is like a body without a brain — it cannot do anything useful!
Software is divided into two main types: System Software and Application Software.
| Type | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| System Software | Manages the computer's hardware and provides a platform for other software to run | Windows, Android, macOS, Linux |
| Application Software | Programs designed for specific tasks that the user wants to do | MS Word, MS Paint, games, calculator, web browser |
The most important system software is the operating system (OS). It is the master program that controls all the hardware and allows other programs to run.
Windows — Used on most desktop and laptop computers. Made by Microsoft.
Android — Used on most smartphones and tablets in India. Made by Google.
macOS — Used on Apple computers.
Without an operating system, a computer cannot start or run any programs!
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Physical parts of a computer that you can touch |
| Software | Programs and instructions that run on a computer |
| Operating System | System software that manages all hardware and programs |
| System Software | Software that manages the computer's basic functions |
| Application Software | Software designed for specific user tasks |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit — the brain of the computer |
Finished learning? Now test what you know!