What is hardware best defined as?

Hardware is best defined as tools, machinery, and physical devices because it encompasses all the tangible components of a computer system or electronic device. This includes items like the central processing unit (CPU), memory hardware, hard drives, motherboards, and peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, and monitors. These components work together to perform tasks and execute the software applications that run on a computer.

In contrast, software refers to the programs and operating systems that instruct the hardware on how to function, which is why other choices focus on these aspects rather than the physical elements. Data processing equipment refers to devices primarily used for input or output operations and does not encompass the full range of hardware components. Computer algorithms pertain to the rules or processes for problem-solving in computing, which again does not represent physical devices or tools within a hardware context. Thus, defining hardware as tools, machinery, and physical devices accurately captures the essence of what hardware is in the field of technology.