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Hardware vs Software vs Firmware - Coggle Diagram
Hardware vs Software vs Firmware
📌
Hardware
🛠️
Definition
: Physical, tangible parts of a computer.
🔹
Examples
: CPU, RAM, Hard Drive, Motherboard, Monitor, Keyboard.
🛠️
Key Features
:
🔹
Tangibility
: Can be touched or seen.
🔹
Update
: Requires physical replacement.
🔹
Dependency
: Base layer supporting software and firmware.
🛠️
Types
:
🔸 Input Devices: Mouse, Keyboard.
🔸 Output Devices: Monitor, Printer.
🔸 Storage Devices: Hard Drive, SSD.
🔁
Cross-Link
: Relies on
Firmware
for initialization and
Software
for operations.
💾
Firmware
🔧
Definition
: Embedded software controlling hardware operations.
🔹
Stored in
: Non-volatile memory (ROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory).
🔧
Key Features
:
🔹
Bridging Role
: Connects hardware and software.
🔹
Update
: Possible but needs special tools.
🔹
Permanence
: Semi-permanent; persists when powered off.
🔧
Examples
:
🔸
BIOS
: Initializes hardware and boots OS.
🔸 Embedded Firmware: In printers, routers, and IoT devices.
🔧
Analogy
: Firmware is like the “translator” between the
hardware
and
software
.
🔁
Cross-Link
: Works closely with
Hardware
for initialization.
💻
Software
🖥️
Definition
: Programs and instructions running on hardware.
🔹
Types
:
🔸
System Software
: Operating Systems (e.g., Windows, Linux).
🔸
Application Software
: End-user programs (e.g., MS Word, Chrome).
🔸
Utility Software
: Tools like Antivirus and Disk Cleanup.
🖥️
Key Features
:
🔹
Intangibility
: Exists as code and data.
🔹
Update
: Easily modified, updated, or replaced.
🔹
Dependency
: Runs on hardware to function.
🖥️
Examples
:
🔸 Operating System: Windows initializes applications.
🔸 Applications: A browser running on a laptop.
🔁
Cross-Link
: Needs
Hardware
to execute and may depend on
Firmware
for startup.
🔄
Connections Between Components
🔗
Hardware ↔ Firmware
:
🔹 Firmware controls hardware at a low level.
🔗
Hardware ↔ Software
:
🔹 Hardware executes software instructions.
🔗
Firmware ↔ Software
:
🔹 Firmware enables software to interact with hardware.
🧠
Mnemonics for Memory
🛠️
Hardware
: "Hard, Tangible Parts" 🏗️.
💾
Firmware
: "Fixed Software Middleman" 🔧.
💻
Software
: "Soft, Flexible Programs" 📋.
🔄
Key Analogies
🔹
Hardware
: The body 🦾.
🔹
Firmware
: The reflexes 🧠.
🔹
Software
: The thoughts 🗒️.
🔁
Learning Tip
:
Think of a
computer startup
:
1️⃣
Firmware
(BIOS) → Initializes hardware.
2️⃣
Hardware
→ Executes instructions.
3️⃣
Software
→ Loads the operating system and applications.