The Firmware reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004
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Firmware

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In computing, firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware device, that allows reading and executing the software, but does not allow modification, e.g., writing or deleting data by an end user.

Examples of firmware include:

A well known specific example is Source: from Federal Standard 1037C and from MIL-STD-188

See also