Software

A component is a "container" for one or more resources associated with the application install. Such resources are files and registry keys. Bear in mind that an MSI file is actually a database that stores information about how the install is to take place, and a component is an entry in the database.

A component is like a football team in World Cup (Feature) composed of players and coaching staffs (files or registries) and they all want to reach their destinations (championship). They have some attributes like a keypath (maybe a captain or a coach) and some conditions like determination, agility, and so forth. Now if during the whole tournament they did not manage to reach the championship, it means that they were beaten up along the way. This is again similar to component which can be they either lack in certain attributes or they are not supposed to go there. (Condition) :)))