What is the primary function of firmware?

The primary function of firmware is to control hardware devices. Firmware is a specialized type of software that is embedded directly into hardware components, such as routers, keyboards, or hard drives. It acts as an intermediary between the hardware and higher-level software, providing the necessary instructions for the hardware to operate properly and carry out its functions.

By coordinating the operations of these hardware components, firmware enables them to perform their specific tasks and ensures they can communicate with the operating system and other software. This makes it essential for the basic functionality of devices and ensures they work as intended within a system.

Other options, while related to the overall functionality of a system, do not capture the primary role of firmware as precisely. For instance, managing network settings can be a function of the operating system or applications rather than firmware itself. Enhancing system performance and providing user interfaces typically fall under the responsibilities of the operating system or applications, not firmware. Thus, controlling hardware devices is the most accurate description of firmware's primary function.