What do we call the set of instructions that tells hardware what to do?

What do we call the set of instructions that tells hardware what to do?

• A. Hardware
• B. Firmware
• C. Software
• D. Utilities

Answer: (C)

Software refers to the programs and data that tell a computer’s hardware what tasks to perform. It’s the broad category that includes everything from the operating system to applications, and it’s what the CPU executes to carry out instructions. Firmware is a specialized form of software that’s stored in non-volatile memory within a device and provides low-level control of the hardware, such as startup routines or embedded controllers. While firmware does guide hardware, the question describes the general set of instructions, so software is the most fitting umbrella term. The other options describe the physical device or unrelated tools, not the instruction set itself.

Software refers to the programs and data that tell a computer’s hardware what tasks to perform. It’s the broad category that includes everything from the operating system to applications, and it’s what the CPU executes to carry out instructions. Firmware is a specialized form of software that’s stored in non-volatile memory within a device and provides low-level control of the hardware, such as startup routines or embedded controllers. While firmware does guide hardware, the question describes the general set of instructions, so software is the most fitting umbrella term. The other options describe the physical device or unrelated tools, not the instruction set itself.