How does software differ from hardware in a computer?

The distinction between software and hardware fundamentally lies in their nature and functionality. Software is intangible, representing a collection of instructions or programs that tell the computer how to perform specific tasks. This includes everything from operating systems to applications and utilities that help users accomplish various functions. Since software does not have a physical form, it resides on physical storage devices in the form of code that executes when needed.

On the other hand, hardware refers to the tangible, physical components of a computer system. This encompasses the devices and parts one can actually touch and see, such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drives, monitors, and keyboards. These components form the underlying infrastructure that allows software to run and perform its tasks.

The other choices presented do not accurately capture the essence of the distinction between software and hardware. While aspects like cost, ease of updating, and physical space may be relevant in some contexts, they do not define the core difference between software and hardware itself. Therefore, the statement correctly highlights the primary distinction: one being a non-tangible set of instructions and the other being tangible physical components.