Distinguish between the terms ‘Hardware’, ‘Software’ and ‘Firmware’. [HSEB 2059]

= Hardware: The physical components of computers are called hardware such as input devices, output devices, processing devices, memory devices etc. It provides shape and size and support software for proper functioning. Registers, CPU, Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, Printers, and Mouse etc which are touchable, visible, replaceable electromechanical and electronic part of computer are hardware.
Software: Software is the collection of program and other associated documents that helps to control, manage and integrate the components of computer system to accomplish a specific task. It is a non-touchable, non viable set of instructions coded in computer languages. It is a vital part of computer, without it computer is nothing. Examples are operating system, compiler and interpreter, application software etc.
Firmware: Firmware is a pre written program that is stored in ROM. It configures the computer and not easily modified by users. The instructions coded in BIOS (Basic Input Output Service) are example of Firmware. Firmware ROM contains loader program to load a program into memory.