1. Software: Software, as the name suggests, is simply a collection of a set of programs, procedures, data, or instructions used by a computer to perform specific tasks and allows the user to interact with the computer.
2. Firmware: Firmware, as the name suggests, is simply a type of software program on a hardware device that provides a control for specific hardware and provide essential instructions on how the device communicates with various other computer hardware.
Difference between Software and Firmware:
| S. No. | Parameters | Software | Firmware |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Definition | Software’s are generally a set of instructions to instruct a computer. | Firmware’s are generally a type of software used to control hardware devices. |
| 2. | Interface | Software (application software) runs on top of the operating system and has no direct interface with hardware. | Firmware is low-level software that stands between the hardware and the operating system. |
| 3. | Categories | Various categories of software include application software, computer programming tools, etc. | There are no such categories of firmware. |
| 4. | Types | Types of software includes application software, shareware, system software, etc. | Types of firmware includes BIOS, EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface), etc. |
| 5. | Size | The size of the software is very big and generally ranges between hundred kilobytes (KB) to a few gigabytes (GB). | The firmware size is very small and generally ranges between a few kilobytes (KB). |
| 6. | Programming Languages | Software’s are usually developed using both low level languages and high level languages such as java. | Firmware’s are usually developed using low level languages. |
| 7. | Functionality | Software’s cannot be a firmware. | Firmware can be a software. |
| 8. | Update | Updating of software’s are very easier. | Updating firmware’s usually tricky. |
| 9. | Designed for | Software’s are designed for user interaction. | Firmware are not designed for user interaction and are instead hidden on device. |
| 10. | Memory | Software memory is accessible and changeable. | Firmware memory is inaccessible and cannot be altered simply by the user. |
| 11. | Runs on | The software usually runs on the CPU and main processors. | The firmware does not run on CPU, instead runs on smaller processors. |
| 12. | Stored on | Software is kept on the computer’s secondary storage device. | The hardware’s flash storage is used to keep the firmware. |
| 13. | Type of Change | It can be changed constantly. | It is rarely changed. |
| 14. | Features | Features of software includes efficiency, usability, functionality, dependability, etc. | Features of firmware includes perfect rotation counter support, floating point variable, perform all control, etc. |
| 15. | Time | It requires more time to create software than firmware. | It requires less time to create firmware than software. |
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