Hardware refers to the tangible and physical components of a computer system or any electronic device, that can be seen and touched. It encompasses all the non-physical parts of a computer or machinery, such as chips, circuits, cables, keyboards, monitors, printers, and other peripheral devices. These components work together to enable the functioning of a computer or electronic device.
In computing, hardware acts as the framework or foundation upon which software programs are executed. It includes internal components like the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), hard drive, power supply unit (PSU), and external components such as keyboards, mice, and monitors. Hardware devices are designed to perform specific functions within the computer system, such as inputting data, processing information, storing data, or displaying output.
Hardware can be classified into two main types: input devices and output devices. Input devices include keyboards, mice, scanners, and microphones, which enable users to input data into the computer system. Output devices, on the other hand, include monitors, printers, and speakers, which display or produce the processed data as output for the user.
Overall, hardware is the physical aspect of computing technology that encompasses all the necessary components required to make a computer or electronic device fully functional. It serves as the tangible infrastructure upon which software and other digital components operate.
