Based on function:
* Hardware: This is the most common and direct opposite. Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, while software is the set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do.
* Wetware: This is a less common term, but it refers to the human brain and its ability to process information. You could say wetware is the "opposite" of software in the sense that it is the human element that creates and uses software.
Based on form:
* Physical objects: Software is intangible, existing as code. Physical objects are tangible, having a physical presence.
* Manual processes: Software automates tasks. Manual processes require human intervention.
Based on purpose:
* Analog: Software is digital. Analog systems use continuous signals rather than discrete ones.
* Non-digital: Software is a form of digital technology. Non-digital processes could include physical actions, natural phenomena, or pre-digital technologies.
Ultimately, the "opposite" of software depends on your specific context and what you are trying to contrast it with.