Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of a computer, i.e. the components that can be seen and touched.

Examples of Hardware are the following −

• Input Devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.

• Output device − printer, monitor, etc.

• Secondary Stroage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc-

Relationship between Hardware and Software

• Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work together to make a computer produce a useful output.

• Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.

• Hardware without a set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.

• To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into the hardware.

• Hardware is a one-time expense.

• Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.

• Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.

• A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.

• If the hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then the software is its 'soul'. Both are complementary to each other.