Every component of your computer system can be classified as either ________ or ________.

Introduction / Context:
When learning about computers, it is useful to divide everything you see and use into a few broad categories. At the highest level, all parts of a computer system fall into two main groups. This question asks you to identify those two groups. Understanding this classification helps you talk clearly about different elements of computing, from physical equipment to programs and data.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to every component of a computer system.
• Components include both physical parts and instructions or programs.
• We need two categories that cover all possible items.
• Options mention hardware, software, CPU, RAM and types of software.

Concept / Approach:
In basic computer studies, everything in a computer system is classified as either hardware or software. Hardware refers to the tangible, physical parts you can touch, such as the keyboard, monitor, motherboard and disk drives. Software refers to programs and data, the instructions that tell the hardware what to do, such as the operating system and applications. Even more detailed categories like system software and application software are sub types of software. Therefore the top level split that covers every component is hardware or software.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Any introductory computing textbook defines a computer system as a combination of hardware and software. Diagrams show hardware boxes connected by lines, with software floating as programs and data stored in memory and on disks. Inputs, outputs, storage devices and processors are all hardware, while compilers, databases and multimedia programs are software. Even network components and embedded devices follow this division. Technical discussions might introduce further categories such as firmware or microcode, but these are still treated as special types of software or hardware. Thus, the hardware software classification is complete at the basic level.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Hardware or CPU: The CPU is one piece of hardware, not a category equal to hardware.
• RAM or CPU: Both RAM and CPU are types of hardware; this pair does not include software at all.
• System software or application software: These categories only cover software components and ignore physical hardware.
• Input device or output device: Many parts of a computer, such as memory and processors, are neither input devices nor output devices.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes focus too much on the CPU and treat it as a separate category because it is called the brain of the computer. However, it is still a physical chip and therefore part of hardware. Others may think only about software categories and forget the physical equipment. To avoid confusion, start with the simple rule: if you can touch it, it is hardware; if you can run it or store it as instructions, it is software. This rule helps classify everything in a computer system into these two broad groups.

Final Answer:
Every component of a computer can be classified as either Hardware or Software.