Define software and hardware? Describe their relationship.
Computer Studies Basics Of Information Technology: A set of instructions given to computer to solve a problem is called software. Software is also called program. A computer works according to the instructions written in software.
The physical parts of a computer are called hardware. The user can see and touch hardware. Keyboard and mouse are examples of hardware.
Relationship of software and hardware
The difference between software and hard ware is as follows:
| Software | Hardware |
| 1. Software is a set of instructions that tell a computer exactly what to do. | 1. Hardware is physical parts of computer that cause processing of data. |
| 2. Software cannot be executed without hardware. | 2. Hardware cannot perform any task without software. |
| Software cannot be touched. | 3. Hardware can be seen and touched. |
| 4/ Software is debugged in case of problem. | 4. Hardware is repaired in case of problem. |
| 5. Software is reinstalled if the problem is not solved. | 5. Hardware is replaced if the problem is not solved. |
what is data? Give its example.
A collection of raw facts and figures is called data. The word raw means that the facts have not yet been processed to get their exact meaning. Data is collected from different sources. It is collected for different purposes. Data may consist of numbers, characters, symbols or pictures etc.
Example
Students fill an admission form when they get admission in college. The form consists of raw facts about the students. These raw facts are student’s name, father name, address etc. the purpose of collecting this data is to maintain the records of the students during their study period in the college.
what is information? Give its example.
The processed data called information. Information is an organized and processed form of data. It is more meaningful than data. It is used for making important decisions.
Example
Data collected from census is used to generate different types of information. The government can use it to determine the literacy rate in the country. Government can use the information in important decisions to improve literacy rate.
what is data processing?
The process of converting data into information is called data processing. Data is the input and information is the output of a data processing system. It is also known as computing. Data processing consists of different steps that are performed in a sequence. The basic steps of data processing are as follows:
1.Input
2.Processing
3.Output
| Data | Processing | information |