Hardware/software trade-offs: reasons and directions

Abstract

A hardware/software trade-off is the establishment of the division of responsibility for performing system functions between the software, firmware and hardware. This is part and parcel of the fundamental process of defining computer architecture. It begins the day a computer is conceived and may be carried on by an ever widening group of individuals until the last computer of a given model is retired. There are areas of the trade-off which are the sole preserve of the manufacturer and his hardware/software team. Other areas of the trade-off are the responsibility of the user, or independent equipment manufacturers.