This document differentiates between hardware, software, firmware, and middleware. It defines each term and provides examples. Hardware is physical computer components like processors and storage that require software to function. Software provides instructions and includes operating systems, applications, and utilities. Firmware provides low-level control of hardware devices. Middleware offers services beyond the operating system to help distributed systems communicate and manage data.

1. Computer fundamentals
DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN
HARDWARE, SOFTWARE,
FIRMWARE AND MIDDLEWARE
TO - SHILPA TYAGI MA’AM BY – SAKSHI AGARWAL
R180935105291
E

2. Comparison
Hardware
 Hardware is a physical parts computer
that cause processing of data.
 It is manufactured.
 Hardware can not perform any task
without software.
 As Hardware are physical electronic
devices, we can see and touch hardware.
 It has four main categories: input device,
output devices, storage, and internal
components, connecting hardware.
Software
 Software is a set of instruction that tells a
computer exactly what to do.
 It is developed and engineered.
 Software can not be executed without
hardware.
 We can see and also use the software but
can’t actually touch them.
 It is mainly divided into System software,
Programming software and Application
software, Utility Software.

3. Internal hardware INPUT
HARDWARE
OUTPUT
HARDWARE
CONNECTING
HARDWARE
STORAGE
HARDWARE
CPU Keyboard Monitor MODem Hard Disc
MotherBoard Mouse Printer Lan Card Floppy Disc
RAM Scanner Speaker CD rom
ROM
Types of Hardware

4. Types of software
System Software
 Operating System
 Device Drivers
Application Software
 Web Browsing Software
 Word Processing Software
 Spreadsheet Software
 Database Software
 Presentation Graphics Software
Utility Software
 Disk Defragmentation
 Backup
 Disk Partitioner
 Anti-Virus

5. Programming
Software
 This is one of the most commonly known
and popularly used forms of computer
software. These software come in forms
of tools that assist a programmer in
writing computer Programs.
 Programming software is a program or
set of programs which helps the software
developers by assisting them in creating,
debugging and maintaining other
programs and applications.
 The tools that help the programmers in
instructing a computer system include
 Text editors
 Compilers
 Interpreters

6. Comparison
FIRMWARE
 A specific class of computer software that
provides low-level control for the device's
specific hardware.
 Helps to control the functionality of the
hardware or electronic devices.
 Commonly used in embedded systems,
consumer electronics, computer and
computer peripherals
MIDDLEWARE
 A computer software that provides
services to software applications beyond
those available from the operating system.
 Helps to communicate and manage data
of distributed systems.
 Commonly used in web servers,
application servers, content management
system and other similar tools

7. Examples
FIRMWARE
 Embedded systems
 Traffic lights
 Digital watches
 Mobile phone
 Digital camera
 Remotes
 Consumer appliances
 Computers & Computer peripherals
Almost all electronic devices beyond the simplest
contain some firmware.
MIDDLEWARE
 Integration
 Transactions
 Data Access
 Application Framework
 Device Middleware
 Game Engines
 Robot Middleware