What is Hardware and Software ?
What is Hardware :
Computer hardware comprises of the physical components that a computer system requires to function. In simple words hardware are the parts which we can see, we can touch them, feel them. It encompasses everything with a circuit board that operates within a Personal Computer or Laptop; including the motherboard, graphics card, CPU (Central Processing Unit), ventilation fans, webcam, power supply, and so on.
What is Software :
A set of instructions given to the computer is known as a program. Program or set of programs are called as software. This helps us to interact with the computer in order to perform a particular task. Software is a generic term used to describe computer programs.
Categories of a software :
1.Open source software :
It refers to the software which releases code in public domain for anyone to use. The source code can be copied, modified or distributed by other users and organizations. As the software is open to the public, the result is that it constantly updates, improves and expands as more people can work on its improvement. Many states are following FOSS policy i.e. Free Open Source Software Policy and it enabled them to save some million of rupees each year in licensing costs. The Kerala state is in news as they have adopted FOSS policy and saved rupees 300 crore as a license fee for proprietary or closed source software.
2. Closed source software :
It is opposite to Open Source Software and means that the software is used by the proprietary and has a closely guarded code. Only the original authors of organization of a software can access, copy, and alter that software. In case of closed source software, user has to purchase the software before using it.
CLASSIFICATION OF SOFTWARE
The software can classified into two type :
I. Application software
II. System software
1.Application Software :
Application software is a program or group of programs designed for end users. Applications software (also called end-user programs) include programs like database programs, word processors, web browsers, presentation software, spreadsheets etc.
2.System Software :
System Software is a
set of instructions required for a computer
to work. For Example, Linux Operating
system is a program that allows different
applications and various components of
hardware such as monitor, printer, mouse,
keyboard etc. to communicate with each
other.
