Management Information System (MIS) Practice Exam

What does the term "hardware" refer to in computing?

1. Software programs

2. Malware effects

3. Physical computer equipment

4. Telecommunications systems

The correct answer is: Physical computer equipment

The term "hardware" in computing specifically refers to the physical components of a computer system. This includes items such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), storage devices (like hard drives or SSDs), motherboards, input devices (like keyboards and mice), and output devices (like monitors and printers). Hardware is tangible, meaning it consists of the actual physical items that you can touch and see, contrasting with software, which is the intangible set of instructions and programs that tell the hardware what to do. Understanding this distinction is essential, as it allows one to appreciate how the physical components work together with software to perform computing tasks. The other terms listed in the choices do not pertain to hardware: software refers to programs (such as applications and operating systems), malware pertains to harmful software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, and telecommunications systems relate to the transmission of information over networks, which can involve both hardware and software but is not specifically classified as hardware alone.