Grade 10 · Theory
Hardware and software
Basic concepts of computing · about 4 min
Visual overview: Hardware and software1 MIN READ
2 study sections · pause after each one and recall the key ideaA computer system needs both hardware (the physical parts you can touch) and software (the programs and instructions that tell the hardware what to do). Neither is useful without the other.
Key points- Hardware examples: monitor, keyboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, printer.
- Software is divided into system software and application software.
- System software manages the computer itself — the operating system (Windows, Linux, Android) and utilities.
- Application software lets the user do tasks — word processors, browsers, games, spreadsheets.
- Firmware is software stored on hardware (e.g. the BIOS) that starts the machine.
- Operating system (OS) — software that controls hardware and provides a platform for applications.
- Application — a program written for an end-user task.
- Utility — a small system program for maintenance (antivirus, disk clean-up).
EXAM TIP
classification questions are common — practise sorting a mixed list into hardware / system software / application software.