Software vs Hardware
In computing terms, hardware is the physical pieces of your computer. In general terms, if you can touch it, its hardware. This book is not concerned with hardware. However, there will be parts in this book where we will refer to some hardware concepts.
Software are the programs/apps that you use on your computer. It includes the operating systems. Windows, OSX and Linux are all software. The web browser that you use is a piece of software. The tools that you use to create your own program are also pieces of software. The things that this book will show you how to create is also software. Software cannot exist without hardware. Hardware without software is as useful as a boat anchor.