firmware v software

[wookiebai]

folks!
can someone please tell me what is the difference between firmware and software ??

as in can i download firmware to an FPGA to program it

 

[crutschow]

Firmware is simply software that's placed into a non-volatile memory such as a prom or flash memory. It's typically found in standalone hardware devices such as cellphones, MP3 players, etc.

 

[wookiebai]

ah ha hmmm
looks like ive to learn how to write software then

 

[Dean Huster]

On the other hand, software usually needs to be loaded whenever the device is first turned on. Many may argue (correctly) that firmware IS software that's simply already supplied and boots immediately from ROM, PROM or EPROM. Firmware always begins as "software" in either case and is then programmed into the memory.

You often hear of "firmware upgrades" where a technician swaps out an EPROM for a newer version.

Dean

 

[usif]

Firmware can be the OS of a small handheld device, e.g the PSP. Software sre things like programs, etc. Just my view on it.

 

[tkbits]

An FPGA does not run software. To make the distinction, manufacturers call the loading of an FPGA "configuration", rather than "programming".

However, just as you can write an interpreter in software to "execute" a language that an MPU does not handle inherently, you can also create (configure) an MPU within an FPGA to run software (which an FPGA does not inherently do).

 

[wookiebai]

thank you folks , from my research i learned the best analogy maybe the ipod
the ipod has the firmware where itunes is the software!

but i really like tkbits reply, more queries to follow