---
title: "Beyond Programming: Software vs. Hardware"
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url: "http://localhost/article/beyond-programming-software-vs-hardware-2/"
markdown_url: "http://localhost/article/beyond-programming-software-vs-hardware-2.md"
published_at: "2026-03-13T13:09:34+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-13T13:09:35+00:00"
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excerpt: "Philosophical discussion exploring the definitions of hardware, software, and firmware by consulting Webster's dictionary and electronics reference works. Examines where the conceptual boundaries lie and how these terms apply to real-world computer components."
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  - name: "Jerry Brown"
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  title: "The Hacker"
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    title: "The Hacker Aug 1988"
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pages: "4"
pubdate: "Aug 1988"
archive_link: false
---

# Beyond Programming: Software vs. Hardware

Philosophical discussion exploring the definitions of hardware, software, and firmware by consulting Webster’s dictionary and electronics reference works. Examines where the conceptual boundaries lie and how these terms apply to real-world computer components.