Is software need to be developed first, or is hardware needed beforehand?

[Jose_49]

Guys, I've been wondering for a while, whether the software needs to be developed first or the hardware needs to be created beforehand in order to "advance in technology" or "create more powerful machines".

There are sometimes I believe that software needs to be developed first such as Windows Vista with its Direct X 10 and Win7 with its Direct X 11. On the other hand there are cases such as cellphones and Android based devices, in which hardware is developed first and then comes the software....

So which is it? Are they needed to be developed at the same time? Or is software/hardware needs to exist first so the other one completes it?

Please help me clarify this doubt :/

P.S: Sorry for posting it on General Discussion... I didn't find another place to put so...

[Daedroth]

Software can be created on anything, as it's mainly just coding. It will have a set criteria, normally based/compatible with already-available hardware, or hardware due within the coming 12 months.

Both hardware and software push each other forward, neither are required first, but they do need each other.

[Xilo]

I'm guessing the OP is referring to creating software today that requires hardware from tomorrow vs creating hardware and then depending on software to push its limits.

Depends on the market. For GPUs and other computer components, it's definitely the former. Lets face it, gaming is probably the #1 thing that's driving the incredible speed at which consumer computer hardware advances and many AAA games require future hardware just to be able to run at maximum settings.

On the other hand, for things like gaming consoles, it needs to be the latter. The hardware in there doesn't change and it needs to stay relevant for years.

[~Johnny]

I'd assume hardware first in all cases. You need to know at least the baseline hardware you're working with before you can properly create the software, for the best experience at least.

[Davo]

I'd say software definitely. I feel like there's a common theme of hardware not being used to its fullest potential until it's being discontinued.

[still1]

I think you are confusing its always the hardware first. lets say you are installing Windows 7 on a PC that was made after 7 is made RTM.

Many hardware wont work because the drivers are not there. and how are the drivers made? Hardware first then the software ie. drivers...

Windows OS would give you some generic drives for many devices like Sound,display etc but if you want better you get the drivers from the device manufacturer.

[Jose_49]

All of you give some valid points. So I guess it will depend on the product itself. This keeps intriguing me more! :p

P.S: BTW, this feels like the chicken-egg dilemma

[cswimbound]

you can't write the software if you don't have any hardware to write it on ;)

[Seizure1990]

Depends on the market. For GPUs and other computer components, it's definitely the former. Lets face it, gaming is probably the #1 thing that's driving the incredible speed at which consumer computer hardware advances and many AAA games require future hardware just to be able to run at maximum settings.

This is only because computers are disgustingly inefficient at playing games. Have you ever looked at hardware specs for a video game console? They're peanuts. At this point, the hardware is as strong as it can be. Any further developments, and you won't notice the difference on current televisions.

Having said that, you need hardware to write software.... this isn't chicken and egg, it's pretty one-way. If you don't have the hardware to support something, how can you write it?

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

I forget what they're called, but often the developers will be provided with prototype hardware to develop for.

Edit: Dev kits.

[Jose_49]

Hmm... So Hardware is needed first. Well, that would explain how is the software tested then... Thanks guys, any more opinions are welcomed! :p.

[Seizure1990]

Hmm... So Hardware is needed first.

How else would you write a program, let alone run it? ;)

[Xilo]

This is only because computers are disgustingly inefficient at playing games. Have you ever looked at hardware specs for a video game console? They're peanuts. At this point, the hardware is as strong as it can be. Any further developments, and you won't notice the difference on current televisions.

Consoles also don't have an full blown OS or multitude of layers of frameworks and libraries to go through like a PC does. For the most part, games on a console talk directly to the hardware and not through layers. That is why PCs are "inneficient". PCs can also do a helluva lot more than a console can in terms of graphics and processing. Not sure what the hell you mean regarding televisions.

Sounds like you don't play many games (if at all).

How else would you write a program, let alone run it? ;)

His question was pretty ambiguous to begin with.

[Seizure1990]

Consoles also don't have an full blown OS or multitude of layers of frameworks and libraries to go through like a PC does. For the most part, games on a console talk directly to the hardware and not through layers. That is why PCs are "inneficient". PCs can also do a helluva lot more than a console can in terms of graphics and processing. Not sure what the hell you mean regarding televisions.

Sounds like you don't play many games (if at all).

Those are all very good reasons. Thanks for explaining my statement. Not sure where we're disagreeing though?

PCs have more raw horsepower then consoles, yes, but nothing more is done with it, as far as gaming is concerned. That extra power is needed because of all the non-gaming functions going on. If you put the hardware of a gamer's PC into a video game console, developers wouldn't know what to do with it. Hardware is no longer the bottleneck for gaming development - it's our software and user interfaces (televisions, controllers, etc)

And I used to play games non-stop, but it's true, I've mellowed out a bit. Still enjoy playing the "latest and greatest" blockbusters to see where the industry is headed though (plus its fun), and I always love a good game of SSBM. :)

[Glassed Silver]

I believe (I could be wrong though, I cannot cite sources for this wild speculation) that hardware stores existed way before the computer era started!

Just a guess though... :shiftyninja:

Glassed Silver:ios

[cooky560 Veteran]

If you look through the long history of computing, hardware has always existed first, infact the first computer the (the Colossus Machine) used in WW2 had no "software" at all it was programmed by changing the way the system was wired

[Seizure1990]

Tbh, I don't see how this is a question. A basic understanding of the relationship between hardware and software immediately explains why one needs the former to even start worrying about the latter.

It's like asking which came first - Television, or television shows? Why don't you think about that. :p