Define 'hardware' in the context of ICT.

'Hardware' refers specifically to the tangible, physical components of a computer or device that you can touch and see. This includes items such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory devices, storage drives, motherboards, keyboards, mice, and any peripherals like printers or scanners. Understanding hardware is fundamental in ICT because it forms the backbone of any computer system; without these physical components, software cannot run, and data cannot be processed or stored. The other options relate to different aspects of computer systems: instructions refer to software; applications are programs designed for specific tasks; and user interfaces involve how users interact with software and hardware, none of which fit the definition of hardware.