Which two components make up a computer system?

A computer system is fundamentally made up of two essential components: hardware and software.

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, which include the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, and peripheral devices such as monitors and keyboards. These elements work together to perform the basic functions of a computer.

Software, on the other hand, consists of the programs and applications that run on the hardware and allow users to perform specific tasks. This includes the operating system, which manages the hardware and software resources, as well as application software that enables users to carry out activities such as word processing, browsing the internet, or gaming.

Together, hardware and software create a functional computer system, enabling users to input data, process it, and output results. The interaction between these two components is crucial for the computer to operate effectively and efficiently. Other combinations of components listed, such as just hardware with input devices or software with network capabilities, do not encapsulate the complete scope of what constitutes a computer system.