Key Takeaways
- Hardware refers to the physical components of a device, like screens, keyboards, mice, and processors.
- Software is the intangible code and programs that run on hardware, such as apps and operating systems.
- Firmware is a type of software stored directly on hardware to enable basic device functions.
- These all work together to create a smooth performance for any device.
Many people who aren’t tech-savvy might not know some technical terms in this industry. For instance, they might not know what the difference between a hardware component and a software program is.
It’s true that computer software and hardware are very common terms, but in this blog, we will explore their differences to offer better clarity on them. We will also explore the differences between firmware and software.
A Brief Introduction To Software, Hardware, and Firmware
You’ve probably dropped your phone at some point, picked it up, and it still worked just fine. Some people have experienced crashes when an app doesn’t behave normally or a laptop that boots up fine only to then freeze during normal use. The reason for all of this has to do with these three important parts of any computing system: hardware, software, and firmware.
If you don’t know or tend to confuse these terms, think of them this way: the computer hardware as a skeleton, the software as the personality, and the firmware as the nervous system that connects everything together.
Hardware: The Physical Foundation
In essence, anything you can physically touch on your device is considered hardware. Your laptop’s keyboard, mouse, the screen, a monitor, the battery that powers your phone, the circuit boards inside your gaming console, and so on. That is all hardware.
It’s not enough to say that hardware is only those parts that you can see. There are still processors that crunch numbers, memory chips that store information temporarily, graphics cards that render images, storage drives that keep your photos and documents, and so much more.
Aging, Wear and Tear
Here is where the relationship between computer software and hardware begins and we will now further discuss what the difference is between hardware and software. You see, hardware doesn’t age as you might expect. For example, your processor doesn’t really get slower over time. What happens is that software becomes more demanding.
The hardware of your 5-year-old laptop that’s struggling with modern websites or design software is probably fine, but the sites or programs require more processing power now than they did when you bought it.
Of course, physical wear does happen too. It’s not just about the software. Your computer’s hardware can and will wear out. Keyboards develop sticky keys, screens accumulate scratches, batteries lose their ability to hold a charge, and moving parts like cooling fans eventually wear out.
This is also why hardware typically comes with warranties, because manufacturers know these components will eventually fail.
Cost Considerations
Even the cost considerations between hardware and software are different. For hardware, someone has to source the materials, build components, test those components, package them, and ship them to you. It's a very involved process that you can't simply "download" if you need an upgrade, for example.
How Software Is Different From Computer Hardware
Software lives in a completely different world from hardware. It's something you cannot touch, yet it is what makes your hardware useful.
When we say “software,” we mean everything from your operating system (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and so on) to your favorite apps and games. Even the code that runs websites is software.
Our first discussion here about what the difference is between a hardware component and a software program is that software doesn’t wear out from use. You can run the same program a million times without it degrading.
Software Challenges
This doesn’t mean that software is better than computer hardware. Software has its own problems, too.
- Bugs creep in during development all the time
- There can be compatibility issues when different programs try to work together
- Software can be corrupted if files get damaged or if your system crashes at the wrong moment.
None of these is a physical problem. They are all logical ones.
Development and Distribution
Even the development and distribution of software differ significantly from what we discussed regarding hardware. Here, a programmer can write code once and distribute millions of copies instantly over the internet.
There are no manufacturing processes or supply chains to worry about in software, as it is in computer hardware. This makes software easy to update. Updates can be done automatically, and new versions can be released frequently.
Dependency on Hardware
But we should remember that software still depends entirely on hardware functions. All the content you enjoy on Instagram, Netflix, and other sites requires processors to execute code, memory, and networks to transmit information between devices.
Firmware: The Hidden Translator
This is still an extension of our discussion on what the difference is between a software program and a hardware component. While the computer hardware and software are common terms, firmware is one of those terms that is not so commonly used, but it is also an equally important component in computer systems.
Basically, it’s software permanently stored on hardware, creating a bridge between physical components and the programs you actually use.
Every electronic computing device contains firmware. For example:
- Your router uses firmware to manage internet connections
- Your digital camera uses firmware to control the sensor and process images
- That car you drive. Yup. That too. The car’s engine control unit runs firmware that manages fuel injection and ignition timing
- Even your microwave oven has firmware that translates button presses into heating cycles
Firmware is software, but computer hardware can’t function without it, but you shouldn’t think that this software is as important as the game you downloaded. Not really.
The Role of Firmware
In computers, firmware handles the most basic operations. At the press of the power button, the firmware starts working before the operating system loads. It checks if all hardware components are working properly, initializes memory, identifies storage devices, and if all goes well, it then hands control over to your operating system.
Types of Firmware
Most people have likely encountered two types of this software. i.e., The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) for older computers, and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) in newer ones. These are some of the software/firmware your computer hardware needs to work.
To further illustrate what the difference is between a software program like this and a hardware component, these particular systems let you change basic settings like boot order, memory timings, and hardware configurations, even though most people never touch these options.
Firmware Updates
Firmware updates don’t happen as often as software updates, but they are far more important than the normal software updates. And here lies the key to understanding the difference between firmware and software.
A firmware update is meant to do things like fix security vulnerabilities, improve device stability, or even add support for new hardware standards. It's the type of software that affects computer hardware, so it’s not like the normal type of software whose updates you can even postpone or skip.
Conclusion
This article has explored the difference between a software program and a hardware component, as understanding these terms helps you make better decisions about caring for your devices.
Maybe you need access to your boot menu, or want to upgrade to new software for Mac, install a trusted antivirus, or download some form of software; knowing the relationship between your computer hardware and software can guide you towards making the right decision. And when you are choosing software, you want software that you can trust.
At SoftwareCW, we know the importance of software; that’s why we provide authentic, instantly downloadable software, and we make it easy to find exactly what you need. We offer 10% off for our new customers and members. Shop now.