Definitions, Characteristics, and Types of Hardware, Software, and Firmware

💻 Hardware • Definition: Mechanical device = machine. • Characteristics: It's a solid object that can be seen and touched. • Types: Monitor, keyboard, mouse, internal components of a computer case. 📱 Software • Definition: A program that operates a machine. • Characteristics: Made of text-based commands, it cannot be touched. • Types: Smartphone apps, game programs, internet browsers, computer operating systems. ⚙️ Firmware • Definition: Essential program stored inside a machine. • Characteristics: 01 Acts as an intermediary between hardware and software. 02 Users cannot easily delete or modify it. • Types: Basic system that operates when a computer starts up (BIOS), basic control program that prevents machine malfunctions.