;A computer science term, the word hardware is used to describe a vast range of products and elements that make up a computer. Hardware is a very general term and can be applied correctly to a vast number of components, from large items such as a computer screen, keyboard and mouse to smaller, hidden components sitting within the computer itself. Did you know that the term covers hard drives, motherboards and memory chips to name but a few? And that an in essence, hardware is a physical object?
This is not to be confused with software, which is a computer program or instruction which tells the device how to carry out tasks. The term software is as broad as hardware and covers everything from the operating system to your favourite word processor and web browser.Learn more about the differences between hardware and software and the different types of hardware available with our educational flashcards.