what is firmware?

Firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides low-level control for a devices specific hardware. It is programming that is written to a hardware device's non-volatile memory. Firmware provides basic machine instructions that allow the hardware to function and communicate with other software running on a device. It is often referred to as "software for hardware". Firmware is embedded into the memory of hardware devices to help them operate effectively. It enables hardware like cameras, mobile phones, network cards, optical drives, printers, routers, scanners, and television remotes to function smoothly. Firmware differs from hardware and software. It was not made up of instructions for the central processing unit (CPU). Instead, it uses a lower-level microcode that implements machine instructions. Firmware is found in a range of computing equipment, including complex devices and those typically not considered computing devices. Some real-world applications of firmware include the firmware of a personal computer, either BIOS or unified extensible firmware interface, which comes embedded on a small memory chip on the computer's motherboard, and a computer's peripherals, such as graphics and video cards, which also contain firmware.