What is considered hardware in a computer system?

The choice that identifies hardware in a computer system is the one that describes the physical components that make up the computer. Hardware refers to the tangible objects you can see and touch. This includes essential parts like the monitor, keyboard, and hard drive, which work together to allow the computer to function and execute tasks.

In contrast, the operating system mentioned in another option is software, which is a set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do. Software is intangible and not considered part of the hardware. Similarly, programming instructions and a network of interconnected computers also do not qualify as hardware, as they represent software and organizational structures, respectively. Understanding the distinction between hardware and software is fundamental in the study of computer systems and technology.