Difference between Firmware and Middleware?
Firmware vs Middleware
Let’s look at differences between Firmware and middleware in this tutorial. Firmware is low-level software embedded in hardware to control its functions. It operates directly with hardware components. Middleware is software that facilitates communication and data management between different applications or systems.
Differences
Firmware | Middleware | |
---|---|---|
Definition | Embedded software directly controlling hardware. | Software that bridges communication between systems. |
Purpose | To provide essential control over hardware functionality. | To enable interaction and integration between software applications. |
Level of Operation | Low-level, hardware-specific. | High-level, application or system-specific. |
Dependency | Required for hardware to operate. | Required for interoperability between applications. |
Examples | BIOS, embedded software in printers and routers. | Message queues, database middleware, APIs. |
Modifiability | Rarely updated; requires specialized tools for updates. | Can be modified or updated as per system needs. |