2006-08-14 11:33:55 · 12 answers · asked by James L 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
Firmware is extremely low level code that is required to make a computer work if all other software was deleted. Without firmware you could not reload the system. It takes code to tell the computer to read the initialization code on a CD.
2006-08-14 11:41:53 · answer #1 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Software is the stuff that you, as the user, put into your computer in order to do things like word processing, or internet browsing. You can add and delete software essentially whenever you want.
Firmware is the stuff that manufacturers put into the sub-parts of the computer, simply to give each piece the instructions that it needs to run. For example, there is firmware in your hard drive that says "Spin" or "Read" or "Record". It is built in, and you don't have the ability to override it (although the manufacturer could if it had a problem and needed an update).
2006-08-14 11:41:31 · answer #2 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firmware is software that's embedded in hardware for the purpose of controlling the hardware. An example of firmware is the software embedded in a microwave oven. Another example could be the BIOS chip on a computer (although this can be overwritten).
2006-08-14 11:42:17 · answer #3 · answered by BobbyD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firmware makes a part run. Software is something that makes the part do something else. Example: firmware makes the cd drive work, but the software makes it burn.
2006-08-14 11:37:40 · answer #4 · answered by shmifty__14 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firmware is software that is programmed into chips and ususally perform basic instructions , like BIOS, for various components, Network cards, computer BIOS, etc... Software is a program that is is designed to run on a computer's operationg system.
2006-08-14 11:39:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In computing, firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware device. It is often provided on flash ROMs or as a binary image file that can be uploaded onto existing hardware by a user.
2006-08-14 11:40:32 · answer #6 · answered by Eric G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you may want to know,
Firmware in a tiny piece of information pushed into another small chip-like hardware which in install on your electronic device such as motherboard, DVD/CD-ROMs and, in general, every electronic device which must keep some critical pieces of information though on the other side we have Software which a top-to-bottom covering program meticulously written by a hard-working programmer in order to cover all possible aspects of specific thing like in digital photo editing tools we a masterpiece, Photoshop, which quite cover everything. a software must be install, individually, on your hard disk to be properly in working condition.
2006-08-14 11:41:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firmware is for accesories like MP3 players and cell phones, it's bassically a software update for something other than your computer.
2006-08-14 11:36:58 · answer #8 · answered by nasonguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firmware is the necesities, like for the PSP the you need the firmware for it to run. But for your computer, you don't NEED Firefox for (OS) to run.
2006-08-14 11:43:51 · answer #9 · answered by Red-Sox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
firmware is like and update or ugrade to software, or devices.
software is like programs and things like that.
2006-08-14 11:40:50 · answer #10 · answered by BeTo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋