A computer is a device comprising both hardware and software. The functions of hardware and software combine together to make the computer functional. This chapter explains what hardware and software are, the two types of software (System Software and Application Software) and the two forms in which software is available (Free and Open source, and Paid and Proprietary).
1. How Hardware and Software Work Together
Neither part can do the job alone. The work of a computer moves from hardware to software and back to hardware:
| Step | What happens | Done by |
|---|---|---|
| Input | Information is entered into the computer | A hardware device |
| Processing | The input data is processed | The software |
| Output | The result is shown in the monitor | A hardware device (monitor) |