Differences between hardware,firmware & software?

hardware-a physical device
Software-programs
Firmware-kinda like an operating system or structure that a device uses to function

Hardware – the actual machinery. The monitor, the keyboard, the circuitry, computer chips, cables, etc.

Software – the applications and programs that you use. Windows, Word, Excel, Firefox, notepad, AIM, etc

Firmware – programs that are written to static memory – the lowest level of software – designed to be written to the chips once and only once, not something to be upgraded or changed like software. The direct interface of the software to the hardware.

Firmware is the software that comes inside the device, software that you ESSENTIALLY can’t change or remove. For instance, the software in your digital watch is firmware. The software in your digital camera is firmware. Your iPod contains firmware. So does your kid’s digital toys.

The way hardware and software was taught to me (many years ago) was that

Hardware is the part of the computer that you can actually touch; the tangible part.

Software is the part of the computer you can’t touch; the INtangible part.

Firmware is extremely low level code that is required to make a computer work if all other software was deleted. Without firmware you could not reload the system. It takes code to tell the computer to read the initialization code on a CD.
Firmware is software that is programmed into chips and ususally perform basic instructions, like BIOS, for various components, Network cards, computer BIOS, etc… Software is a program that is is designed to run on a computer’s operationg system.
Firmware is software that’s embedded in hardware for the purpose of controlling the hardware. An example of firmware is the software embedded in a microwave oven. Another example could be the BIOS chip on a computer (although this can be overwritten).
FIRMWARE IS A SOFTWARE WHICH IS INBUILT IN ELECTRONIC GAGETS WHICH THE USER CANNOT ACCESS.IT IS THERE ONLY FOR D PROPER FUNTIONING OG THE APPLIANCE AND IS HIDDEN ON A CHIP.
Firmware is the necesities, like for the PSP the you need the firmware for it to run. But for your computer, you don’t NEED Firefox for (OS) to run.
Firmware makes a part run. Software is something that makes the part do something else. Example: firmware makes the cd drive work, but the software makes it burn.
Firmware is for accesories like MP3 players and cell phones, it’s bassically a software update for something other than your computer.
Software is the stuff that you, as the user, put into your computer in order to do things like word processing, or internet browsing. You can add and delete software essentially whenever you want.

Firmware is the stuff that manufacturers put into the sub-parts of the computer, simply to give each piece the instructions that it needs to run. For example, there is firmware in your hard drive that says “Spin” or “Read” or “Record”. It is built in, and you don’t have the ability to override it (although the manufacturer could if it had a problem and needed an update).
As you may want to know,
Firmware in a tiny piece of information pushed into another small chip-like hardware which in install on your electronic device such as motherboard, DVD/CD-ROMs and, in general, every electronic device which must keep some critical pieces of information though on the other side we have Software which a top-to-bottom covering program meticulously written by a hard-working programmer in order to cover all possible aspects of specific thing like in digital photo editing tools we a masterpiece, Photoshop, which quite cover everything. a software must be install, individually, on your hard disk to be properly in working condition.
Firmware is extremely low level code that is required to make a computer work if all other software was deleted. Without firmware you could not reload the system. It takes code to tell the computer to read the initialization code on a CD.
firmware is like and update or ugrade to software, or devices.
software is like programs and things like that.
there’s no difference
In computing, firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware device. It is often provided on flash ROMs or as a binary image file that can be uploaded onto existing hardware by a user.

Software is the set of user programs running on a system that are designed to be updated often by those users

Firmware is semi-permanent software running on a system that may or may not be updated often, and usually require a higher level of skill or effort

Hardware is the physical components of a system that the software and firmware run on