Technology consists of all of the hardware and software components of computers, phones and other devices. It also includes items that capture audio and visual media like cameras, microphones and projectors. The term technology is often used to describe computer programs that help make tasks easier to accomplish, such as word processing or video editing software.
Technological development has provided humanity with many benefits, including increased food production, the ability to travel longer distances, improved health care, and the elimination of physical barriers to communication. However, not all technological developments have been beneficial. The development of weapons with ever-increasing destructive power has been a constant feature throughout history.
It is impossible to design a technological system without considering the broad context in which it will be used. It is also important to consider the costs of operating, maintaining and occasionally repairing the technology. Training personnel to operate and maintain the technology is another cost consideration.
Technology is essential to science for purposes of measurement, data collection, treatment of samples and computation. Moreover, technology has facilitated the study of complex systems such as weather patterns, population trends and gene structure that would have been difficult or impossible to analyze without the use of technology.