What is the difference between Hardware and Firmware? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Hardware and Firmware?

Asked by Jasmijn , Last updated: Apr 19, 2024

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3 Answers

L. Agate

L. Agate

L. Agate
L. Agate

Answered Jun 28, 2020

Hardware and firmware are commonly used in the world of technology today. Hardware can be defined as any physical, electronic device which you can see with your eyes and also touch with your hand. Examples of hardware are tablets, printer, laptop, flash drive. The hardware usually contains software and firmware in them. Hardware cannot function without programming. Hardware can be reprogrammed and even undergo physical damage.

Firmware is everywhere, even on laptops, smartphones. Firmware can be regarded as software that serves a specific purpose for hardware. Examples of firmware are BIOS in IBM compatible, the timing and control of washing machines. The firmware does not need to be reprogrammed. The firmware usually controls the hardware.

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C. Adlai

C. Adlai

A professional and experienced software developer with amateur writing.

C. Adlai
C. Adlai, Software Developer, B.E (Bachelor of Engineering), California, USA

Answered Jun 12, 2020

Firmware can be characterized as a specific group of programming. Programming is necessary to carry out any task by the plethora of processors of a device, and this programming is assimilated onto a ROM, which stands for Read-Only Memory. Firmware is what controls the hardware. Firmware can be described as a code that is compatible with particular equipment and usually operates on binary code.

We use a device to connect to the web employing a specific card or modem. The operating system on our device develops programming called gadget drivers to link to the modem. Hardware has a physical object and can withstand physical damage, unlike firmware. Equipment cannot operate without a firmware.

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F. Manasseh

F. Manasseh

I love to code. I believe everything is programmed in a certain way to make it work. From human brains to every single command in the machines.

F. Manasseh
F. Manasseh, Software Developer, B.E (Bachelor of Engineering), Tallahassee, Florida

Answered Jun 09, 2020

The combinations of physical elements of any technological equipment are what is referred to as the hardware. These elements are being integrated and fashioned to work with respect to an already prepared set of instructions, often referred to as codes. Another thing about Hardware is their vulnerability to damages. This is due to their physical nature, of course. The motherboards, Disk Drive, Sound card, are examples of Hardware. It should be emphasized, however, that these physical units called hardware can't work on their own but must be placed on a set of well-structured instructions called programming for them to run adequately.

Firmwares, on the other hand, are a set of instructions built to operate on Hardware for them to function. These are commonly referred to as Programs that are required by the numerous elements of any technological device to function as they are built into the Read-only Memory. Timing and Control Systems in Washing Machines, BIOS in IBM compatible Computers are examples of Firmwares.

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