Asked By
Henry Wayne
10 points
N/A
Posted on - 07/04/2011
I am just wondering what the differences between Firmware and Software are.
What I know is that Firmware is those in Cell phone and other devices unrelated to computer and Software is an application that we use in a computer.
Can someone share some insights regarding this one?
And further discuss to me what firmware is and what is software?
Thanks.
Insights needed regarding Firmware and software
Firmware is just a type of software so having compared it to software and sees that they are completely different to each other is a false understanding. As we generally know Software that we use on a computer or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) a firmware also is the same as it performs an operation of certain hardware.
As we notice, the Software is big application while Firmware has been just a small size that can be in kilobytes. Software that is installed for example in a computer can easily be replaced by a certain user, while firmware it is often found embedded on the device that cannot be replaced by the user, more often it can only be upgraded.
Referring to the above explanation, Generally Software is high level programs while the firmware is a micro code that is found built-in on most devices. Software is much bigger that firmware and it can easily be replaced by another software while firmware if already embedded in a hardware it is difficult to have it replace but instead have it upgrade.
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Insights needed regarding Firmware and software
Hi Henry Wayne,
The difference between firmware and software.
FIRMWARE
Firmware is a software program or set of instructions programmed on a hardware device. It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates with the other computer hardware. But how can software be programmed onto hardware? Good question. Firmware is typically stored in the flash ROMÂ of a hardware device. While ROM is "read-only memory," flash ROM can be erased and rewritten because it is actually a type of Flash Memory.
Firmware can be thought of as "semi-permanent" since it remains the same unless it is updated by a firmware updater. You may need to update the firmware of certain devices, such as hard drives and video cards in order for them to work with a new Operating System. CD and DVD drive manufacturers often make firmware updates available that allow the drives to read faster media. Sometimes manufacturers release firmware updates that simply make their devices work more efficiently.
SOFTWARE
Software consists of carefully – organized instructions and code written by programmers in any of various computer languages. Software is divided commonly into two main categories:
1. System software: Controls the basic (and Invisible to the user) functions of a computer and comes usually preinstalled with the machine. See also BIOS and Operating System.
2. Application software: Handles multitudes of common and specialized task a user like us want to perform, such as accounting, communicating,data processing, word processing.
Insights needed regarding Firmware and software
A firmware is a programming written to the hardware or the device’s non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is a kind of RAM wherein the contents are saved when the device is turned off or loses power. The firmware of a device, like with a Smartphone, is normally added at the time of manufacturing. The firmware is used to run applications on the device.
It is the software that allows the hardware to run. Software, on the other hand, is a general term referring to different kinds of programs designed to run computers and other related devices. It is a set of instructions or applications that instructs or commands a computer to perform specific tasks. Programs, scripts, applications, and set of instructions are all terminologies that often used to describe software.
A good example of software is the Microsoft Office suite.
