What is Hardware?
Hardware is the physical part of a computer, it is formed by electronic components, such as wire and light circuits, boards, utensils, chains, and any other material in physical state, that is necessary to make the computer work.
Hardware is basically used by computers and electronic elements. Any physical equipment such as keys, locks, chains and parts of the computer itself are called hardware.
The hardware is not just limited to personal computers, it is also available in automobiles, cell phones, tablets and etc.
There are several types of hardware, which have different purposes and functionality. Network hardware, for example, is equipment that is built with the purpose of enabling and managing equipment that is connected in a network.
A computer’s printer, scanner, monitor, mouse and keyboard are considered hardware of this PC. In short, hardware is all the peripherals connected to an operating system.
Not only external components, but also those inside the computer’s case are classified as hardware. Example: RAM memory card, hard disk, CD and DVD reader, etc.
On the internet, there are several sites and forums specialized in helping users and laymen in “computer mechanics” to install or configure hardware, as is the case of Clube do Hardware.
Hardware and software
For the proper functioning of the hardware, it is also necessary the software, which is the logical part of the informatics. The software has the function of providing instructions to the hardware, enabling the performance of the operations of an equipment.
Software is any computer program that can be used, copied, etc. Only with the combination of software and hardware can the computer run more correctly and efficiently.
List of Acronyms Related to Hardware
| ALCOHOL |
Accs Common Hardware |
| ACH |
ACCS Common Hardware |
| AHS |
Adaptive Hardware and Systems |
| ADH |
Advanced Development Hardware |
| ARCH |
Advanced Reconnaissance Compression Hardware |
| AHX |
Aerospace Hardware Exchange |
| AEH |
Airborne Electronic Hardware |
| AHC |
Amarillo Hardware Company |
| AHC |
American Hardware Corporation |
| AHC |
Architectural Hardware Consultant |
| ABHRS |
As Built Hardware Reporting System |
| ANIM |
ATM Network Interface Module (hardware) |
| ACSH |
Avionic and Control System Hardware |
| BHMA |
Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association |
| CHSM |
C Hardware Specific Module |
| CHC |
California Hardware Company |
| CASH |
Catalog of Available and Standard Hardware |
| CHAMP |
Certified Hardware Asset Management Professional |
| CHH |
Certified Hardware Hosineer |
| CHL |
Certified Hardware List |
| CHAMPS |
Characteristics of Hardware Assemblies & Mission-build Planning System |
| CHW |
ChileHardware |
| CHADDR |
Client Hardware Address |
| CHAMPION |
Common Hardware |
| CH |
Common Hardware |
| CHIPS |
Common Hardware Intelligence Processing Subsystem |
| CHP |
Common Hardware Profile |
| CGRP |
Common Hardware Reference Platform |
| CHRP |
Common Hardware Reference Platform |
| CHS |
Common Hardware Suite |
| CHS |
Common Hardware Systems |
| CHS |
Common Hardware/Software |
| CHSP |
Common Hardware/Software Program |
| CHP |
Communicating Hardware Processes |
| CHWP |
Compatible Hardware Web Page |
| CEH |
Complex Electronic Hardware |
| CHCI |
Computer Hardware Configuration Item |
| CHF |
Computer Hardware Fundamentals |
| CHMBA |
Computer Hardware Manufacturing Benchmarking Association |
| CHUD |
Computer Hardware Understanding Developer |
| CHUD |
Computer Hardware Understanding Development kit |
| CHAMMP |
Computer Hardware, Advanced Mathematics, and Model Physics |
| CHESS |
Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions |
| CASHE |
Computer-Aided Software/Hardware Engineering |
| CODES |
Conference on Hardware/Software Codesign and System Synthesis |
| CHIPS |
Consolidated Hardware/Integrated Processor Suite |
| CHES |
Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems |
| CHES |
Cryptography Hardware and Embedded Systems |
| DCHN |
De Comp Hardware Netzwerke |
| DHS |
Definitive Hardware Store |
| DMH |
Delay Measurement Hardware |
| DASH |
Desktop and Mobile Architecture for System Hardware |
| DHM |
Desktop Hardware Maintenance |
| DSH |
Development Support Hardware |
| DSCH |
Digital Setting Circle Hardware |
| DHA |
Direct Hardware Access |
| DAHC |
Distinguished Architectural Hardware Consultant |
| DHI |
Door and Hardware Institute |
| DHSI |
Door and Hardware Systems, Inc. |
| DHP |
Dynamic Hardware Plugins |
| DAHA |
Dynamically Assigned Hardware Address |
| EHS |
Electronic Hardware Services |
| EHTP |
Electronic Hardware Technology Park |
| EHD |
Engineering Hardware Description |
| EPOCH |
Environmental Power Control Hardware |
| EHB |
EVA Hardware Board |
| EHW |
Evolvable Hardware |
| EH |
Evolvable Hardware |
| FHA |
Flight Hardware Availability |
| FHC |
Flight Hardware Contract |
| FHT |
Formal Hardware Testing |
| GHOST |
General Hardware Oriented System Transfer |
| GHN |
German Hardware Network |
| GSH |
Global Stainless Hardware, Inc |
| GAH |
Ground Antenna Hardware |
| HORIZONTAL |
Hardware |
| HACKER |
Hardware |
| H |
Hardware |
| HW |
Hardware |
| HOMEWORK |
Hardware |
| HDWE |
Hardware |
| HDW |
Hardware |
| HSW |
Hardware – Software – Wireless, Inc. |
| HN |
Hardware & Networking |
| HALD |
Hardware Abstraction Layer |
| HAL |
Hardware Abstraction Layer |
| HWA |
Hardware Acceleration |
| HAT |
Hardware Acceptance Test |
| HATS |
Hardware Acceptance Test Specifications |
| HAG |
Hardware Action Group |
| HAL |
Hardware Adaptation Layer |
| SHA |
Hardware Address of the Sender |
| THA |
Hardware Address of the Target |
| HASP |
Hardware Against Software Piracy |
| HGR |
Hardware and Garden Review |
| HHI |
Hardware and Home Improvement |
| HAP |
Hardware Architecture Plan |
| HAL |
Hardware Artificial Life |
| HAAS |
Hardware as a Service |
| HARD |
Hardware Assisted Resilient Data |
| HAQ |
Hardware Association of Queensland |
| HBS |
Hardware Breakdown Structure |
| HCP |
Hardware Change Proposal |
| HCD |
Hardware Command Distribution |
| HCL |
Hardware Compatibility List |
| HCT |
Hardware Compatibility Tests |
| HCI |
Hardware Computer Interface |
| HCR |
Hardware Concept Review |
| HWC |
Hardware Configuration |
| HCD |
Hardware Configuration Definition |
| HCE |
Hardware Configuration Engineer |
| HCF |
Hardware Configuration Facility |
| HWCI |
Hardware Configuration Item |
| HCI |
Hardware Configuration Item |
| HWCI |
Hardware Critical Item |
| HAD |
Hardware Data Acquisition |
| HDT |
Hardware Debug Tool |
| HDL |
Hardware Description Language |
| HDLA |
Hardware Description Language Analog |
| HDC |
Hardware Design Center |
| HDD |
Hardware Design Document |
| HDL |
Hardware Design Language |
| HDR |
Hardware Design Review |
| HDS |
Hardware Design Specification |
| HFL |
Hardware Design Using Functional Languages |
| HDT |
Hardware Detection Tool |
| HDK |
Hardware Development Kit |
| HDR |
Hardware Development Requirements |
| HDM |
Hardware Device Module |
| HDS |
Hardware Diagnostic Suite |
| HEMODIALYSIS |
Hardware Disease |
| HYUNDAI |
Hardware Disease |
| HD |
Hardware Disease |
| HDM |
Hardware Driver Module |
| HEL |
Hardware Emulation Layer |
| HERB |
Hardware Engineering Review Board |
| HEC |
Hardware Error Correction |
| HELT |
Hardware Estimated Life Test |
| HFI |
Hardware Fault Insertion |
| HFE |
Hardware Forwarding Engine |
| HIFT |
Hardware Implemented Fault Tolerance |
| HIL |
Hardware In Loop |
| HILS |
Hardware in the Loop System |
| HWI |
Hardware Industries |
| HIP |
Hardware Instrumentation Package |
| HIT |
Hardware Integration Test |
| HIS |
Hardware Intensive Software |
| HIS |
Hardware Intensive Systems |
| HIM |
Hardware Interface Module |
| HIP |
Hardware Interface Processor |
| HI |
Hardware Item |
| HWM |
Hardware Maintenance |
| HMD |
Hardware Maintenance Depot |
| HMM |
Hardware Maintenance Manual |
| HMP |
Hardware Maintenance Program |
| HMC |
Hardware Management Console for pSeries |
| HMSA |
Hardware Manufacturers’ Statistical Association |
| HMF |
Hardware Mission Failure |
| HMS |
Hardware Monitoring System |
| HN |
Hardware Node |
| HOM |
Hardware Object Module |
| HOL |
Hardware Online |
| HO |
Hardware Overhead |
| HPK |
Hardware Porting Kit |
| HPR |
Hardware Problem Report |
| HPS |
Hardware Product Services |
| HPK |
Hardware Protocol Kit |
| HPWM |
Hardware Pulse Width Modulated Pulse Train |
| HQ |
Hardware Qualification |
| HQAM |
Hardware Quality Assurance Manual |
| HRP |
Hardware Reference Platform |
| HRD |
Hardware Release Document |
| HRD |
Hardware Requirements Document |
| HRL |
Hardware Requirements List |
| HRE |
Hardware Routing Engine |
| HSM |
Hardware Security Module |
| HSP |
Hardware Simulation Program |
| HSD |
Hardware Software Development |
| HSM |
Hardware Specific Module |
| HSR |
Hardware Specification Review |
| HWS |
Hardware Supplies |
| HSS |
Hardware Support Specialist |
| HSC |
Hardware Systems Command |
| HSM |
Hardware to Software Migration |
| HTTL |
Hardware Trade Technology Limited |
| HTA |
Hardware Tree-based Routing Algorithm |
| HTR |
Hardware Trouble Report |
| HUPS |
Hardware Upgrade Program |
| HUP |
Hardware Upgrade Program |
| HUR |
Hardware Utilization Requirement |
| HVL |
Hardware Verification Language |
| HVM |
Hardware Virtual Machine |
| HAWG |
Hardware Working Group |
| HSC |
Hardware/Software Codesign |
| HSIA |
Hardware/Software Interaction Analysis |
| HSSE |
Hardware/Software Systems Engineering |
| HASP |
Hardware-Assisted Software Protection |
| HAV |
Hardware-Assisted Virtualization |
| HGA |
Hardware-carrier Group Alarm |
| HILS |
Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation |
| HSI |
Hardware-Software Integration |
| HWZ |
HardwareZone.com |
| HPH |
Hodge Podge Hardware |
| IHV |
Independent Hardware Vendor |
| IIHT |
Indian Institute of Hardware Technology |
| IH-SR |
Integrated Hardware and Software Review |
| INTERIOR |
Integration Hardware Subsystem |
| INT |
Integration Hardware Subsystem |
| IAHS |
Intelligence Application Hardware Suite |
| ISHA |
InterSource Hardware Asia |
| IHBMA |
Irish Hardware and Building Materials Association |
| IHR |
Italian Hardware Research |
| JCHE |
Joint Combined Hardware-in-the-Loop Event |
| KHILS |
Kinetic Hardware In-The-Loop Simulator |
| KHILS |
KKV Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulator |
| LHCP |
Linux Hardware Compatibility Project |
| MESH |
Macintosh Enhanced SCSI Hardware |
| MCHS |
Marine Common Hardware Suites |
| MCCHS |
Marine Corps Common Hardware Suite |
| MHBHMF |
Mean Hours Between Hardware Mission Failure |
| MOSB |
Microsoft OEM System Builder (hardware manufacturing) |
| MESH |
Modeling Environment for Software and Hardware |
| MACH |
Modular, Adaptive, Computer, Hardware |
| NBHA |
National Builders Hardware Association |
| NHS |
National Hardware Show |
| NHW |
New Hardware Wizard |
| NH |
Nordic Hardware |
| NHC |
Notebook Hardware Control |
| OHI |
Obsolete Hardware Interface |
| OSH |
Orchard Supply Hardware |
| PHW |
Peregrine Hardware, Inc |
| PHG |
Philadelphia Hardware Group Inc. |
| PHAC |
Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification |
| PHD |
Plumbing Hardware Dispatcher |
| PHITL |
Portable Hardware in the Loop |
| PHI |
Precision Hardware, Inc. |
| PCHS |
Procurement of Computer Hardware and Software |
| PHSL |
Program Hardware/Software List |
| RATCHET |
Real-Time Address Trace Compression Hardware for Extended Traces |
| RHP |
Reconfigurable Hardware Processor |
| RHP |
Reconfigurable Hardware Product |
| RUSH |
Remote Use of Shared Hardware |
| ROH |
Removal of Hardware |
| RHI |
Render Hardware Interface |
| SEMB |
SATA Enclosure Management Bridge (hardware) |
| SHE |
Sequential Hardware Equivalence |
| SHSC |
Serious Hardware/Software Crap |
| SAHFSD |
Software and Hardware for Speaker Design |
| SHAD |
Software Hardware Allocation Database |
| SHEL |
Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware |
| SIT |
Software/Hardware Integration |
| SFH |
Software-Friendly Hardware |
| SHARE |
Software-Hardware Asset Reuse Enterprise |
| SHS |
Spokane Hardware Supply |
| SCVL |
Standard Component VHDL Hardware Description Language) Library (computing) |
| SCFL |
Standard Component VHDL Hardware Description Language) Library (computing) |
| SHARP |
Standard Hardware Acquisition and Reliability Program |
| SHP |
Standard Hardware Program |
| SHARP |
Standardized Hardware Reliability Program |
| SQUASH |
Static Quality Assurance for Software and Hardware |
| SHS |
Surplus Hardware Supplies, Ltd. |
| SHARP |
Sustainable Hardware and Affordable Readiness Practices |
| SHARC |
System Hardware Availability and Reliability Calculator |
| STASH |
System Test Hardware |
| STH |
System Test Hardware |
| SMASH |
Systems Management Architecture for Server Hardware |
| THG |
Tom’s Hardware Guide |
| TCH |
Twin City Hardware |
| UHP |
Unified Hardware Platform |
| UHC |
Unit Hardware Cost |
| UMPH |
Unix Mission Planning Hardware |
| VASG |
VHDL Hardware Description Language) Analysis and Standards Group |
| VAUL |
VHDL Hardware Description Language) Analyzer and Utility Library (software) |
| VHDL |
VHSIC Hardware Description Language |
| VHDL |
VHSIC Hardware Design Language |
| VDHTB |
Virtual Distributed Hardware-in-the-loop Test Bed |
| VHDL |
Virtual Hardware Description Language |
| VHM |
Virtual Hardware Monitor |
| WHDC |
Windows Hardware and Driver Central |
| WHCL |
Windows Hardware Compatibility List |
| WHDC |
Windows Hardware Developer Central |
| WHEC |
Windows Hardware Engineering Conference |
| WHEA |
Windows Hardware Error Architecture |
| WHQL |
Windows Hardware Quality Labs |
| WVHA |
Windows Vista Hardware Assessment |
| WBH |
Without Body Hardware |
| WIHI |
Women In the Hardware Industry |
| WCH |
Wooden Cross Hardware |
| WHSG |
Workstation Hardware Support Group |
