GoalExplain the difference between hardware and software, and name kinds of application software.
New words
software · programs and instructions that tell a computer what to do; you cannot touch themapplication · a program made for one kind of job, such as writing or playingprogram · a list of instructions that a computer follows
Explanation
A computer needs two kinds of things. Hardware is what you can touch, such as the screen, the keyboard and the mouse. Software is the instructions that tell the hardware what to do. You cannot touch software. Think of cooking: the pot and the stove are hardware, and the recipe is software. A pot with no recipe does nothing useful. In the same way, a computer with no software does nothing useful. Application software is software made for one kind of job. A word processor is for writing, a game is for playing, a web browser is for visiting the internet, and a presentation program is for making slides.
Hardware
Software
Can you touch it?
yes
no
In cooking
pot and stove
recipe
Examples
screen, keyboard, mouse
word processor, game, web browser
Worked examples
Mariam presses the power button on a tablet, but there is no program on it. The screen is ready, but nothing useful happens. Hardware needs software.
Seif wants to write a story. He uses a word processor. It is application software made for writing. A different application, a drawing program, is made for drawing.
Farida can pick up a keyboard and carry it to the table, but she cannot pick up the word processor. That shows keyboard = hardware, word processor = software.
Class activity
Hardware or software? Write ten names on slips of paper: screen, game, keyboard, word processor, mouse, web browser, speakers, presentation program, printer, drawing program. Make two piles: things I can touch (hardware) and instructions I cannot touch (software). Ask a partner to check.
Practice
1
Is a mouse hardware or software?
Hardware, because you can touch it.
2
Is a game hardware or software?
Software, because it is a program of instructions.
3
Which two pictures show hardware? Say the letters.
A (the keyboard) and C (the printer). Slides are made with software.
4
What kind of application would you use to make slides for a talk?
