Hardware, Software & Firmware
0 likes5,295 views
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer like the CPU, RAM, and hard drive. Software is a set of instructions that operate computers and execute tasks, and can be updated by users. Firmware sits between hardware and software as a type of machine language program that is semi-permanently stored in hardware. System software like operating systems interface between application software and hardware to manage system resources, while application software is designed for specific user tasks. Device drivers are software that allow operating systems to communicate with hardware devices like graphics cards and printers.
Hardware, Software & Firmware
- 1. HARDWARE, SOFTWARE & FIRMWARE …..The core components of a computer….. ABSTRACT This short note includes the differences between hardware, software, firmware & differences between system software and application software, and also details about device driver. Supervised By Pranab Bandhu Nath (Senior Lecturer) CSE Department City University, Dhaka Submitted By Shamima Akther| ID – 1834902616 CSE 317 : Computer Networks
- 2. “Computer Hardware, Software & Firmware” Hardware, software and firmware are the three core components that make up present day computers and systems. The basic introductory differences between these three core component is illustrated below:- Hardware Software Firmware Hardware is the physical components of a system that the software and firmware run on & which may wear out over time and require replacement. Software is a set of instruction, data or user programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks and that are designed to be updated often by those users. Firmware is a set of instructions or programs written in machine language which designed to act as the intermediary between the software and hardware. Hardware can be modified easily by the user through replacing components. Software is written in the normal assembly language of the computer. It is a one type of software that is written in machine language. Hardware is referred as the body of computer, instruments or devices. It is stored in the computers normal memory – RAM, on disc etc. It is a software that is semi parmanently placed/stored in hardware. Programs are required to run the hardware It is also instruction or user program itself While it is the program itself. Hardware is the physical components that are most permanent. Software is the most temporary & malleable. Firmware is semi-permanent software that’s tied more directly to the hardware and updated less often. Example: Computer Processing Units (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM) and Hard Drives (HDD), Computers, Adapter cards & ethernet cables. Example: Internet browsers, operating systems (OS) and Antivirus. Example: Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) and Etensible Firmware Interface (EFI) & embedded systems (keyboards, TV, remote, graphic cards, printers etc). Device Driver: Another important component of computer system is Driver. A driver is a software and/or firmware that controls hardware. Often it connects an operating system with specific hardware devices. So, that means, A driver or a device driver is a set of files that tells a piece of hardware how to function by comunicating with a computers operating system. For example, there are drivers for every card and disk in our computer. All pieces of hardware require a driver, from our internal computer components, such as our graphics card, to our external peripherals, like a printer. Each driver is written for a specific operating system- for example Windows XP or Macintosh OS X. Therefore, to use a card in our computer, we must use a driver that matches the device and also our operating system.
- 3. Difference between System Software & Application Software: The basic differences between system software and application software are described below:- Key System Software Application Software Definition System software is the type of software which is the interface between application software & system. Application software is the type of software which runs as per as user request. It runs on the platform which is provide by system software Usage System software is used for operaing computer hardware. Application software is used by user to perform specific task. Development language In general system software are developed in low level language which is more compatible with the system hardware in order to interact with. For development of Application software high level language is used for their development as they are developed as some specific purpose software. Dependency System software can run independantly. It provides platform for running application software. Application software can’t run independently. They cant run without the presence of system software. Installation System software are installed on the computer when operating system is installed. Application software are installed according to user’s requirements. User interaction In general, the user does not interact with system software because it works in the background. In general, the user interacts with application softwares. Programming Complexity Programming of system software is complex. Programming of application software is comparatively easy. Run A computer cannot run without system software. A computer can easily run without application software. Design System software are mainly designed for managing system resources. Application software are designed to accomplish tasks for specific purposes. Purpose System Software is general- purpose. Application software is specific- purpose. Class It is classified as a package program or customized program. It is classified as time-sharing, resoure sharing, client-server. System function System sotware is crucial for the effective functioning of a system. Application software is not extremely important for the functioning of the system. Example Operating system, compiler, assembler, debugger, driver etc Photoshop, VLC player, Microsoft Office, Animation software, media player etc.