1. 软件：
软件，顾名思义，就是计算机用来执行特定任务并允许用户与计算机交互的一组程序、过程、数据或指令的集合。
2. 固件：
固件，顾名思义，只是硬件设备上的一种软件程序，它为特定硬件提供控制，并提供设备如何与各种其他计算机硬件通信的基本指令。
软件和固件的区别：
| Software | Firmware |
|---|---|
| Software’s are generally set of instructions to instruct computer. | Firmware’s are generally a type of software used to control hardware devices. |
| Various categories of software includes application software, computer programming tools, etc. | There are no such categories of firmware. |
| Types of software includes application software, shareware, system software, etc. | Types of firmware includes BIOS, EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface), etc. |
| Size of software is very big and generally ranges between hundred kilobytes (Kb) to few gigabytes (Gb). | Size of firmware is very small and generally ranges between few kilobytes (Kb). |
| Software’s are usually developed using both low level languages and high level languages such as java. | Firmware’s are usually developed using low level languages. |
| Software’s cannot be a firmware. | Firmware can be a software. |
| Updating of software’s are very easier. | Updating of firmware’s are usually difficult. |
| Software’s are designed for user interaction. | Firmware are not designed for user interaction and are instead hidden on device. |
| Software usually run of CPU and main processors. | Firmware does not run on CPU, instead runs on smaller processors. |
| It can be changed constantly. | It is rarely changed. |
| Features of software includes efficiency, usability, functionality, dependability, etc. | Features of firmware includes perfect rotation counter support, floating point variable, perform all control, etc. |
| It requires more time to create software than firmware. | It requires less time to create firmware than software. |