Hardwired

Hardwired describes a configuration, behavior, or system component that is fixed by physical wiring or design and cannot be easily altered by software or user action. The term is used across engineering, computing, and biology to indicate permanence or built-in function.

In electronics, a hardwired circuit has permanent connections implemented with wires or metal traces, so its function is defined by hardware rather than firmware or software. Hardwired control units implement logic directly in hardware, using combinational and sequential circuits, as opposed to being driven by microcode or software.

The phrase contrasts with soft wiring or programmable logic, where configuration can be changed through firmware updates, software, or reprogramming. In software development, the related idea of hardcoding refers to values embedded directly into source code, which require code changes to modify and are not configurable at run time.

In biology and cognitive science, hardwired often describes reflexes or innate behaviors presumed to be genetically determined rather than learned. Many experts note that true hardwiring is rare or oversimplified, given neural plasticity and environmental influence on development and behavior.

Advantages of hardwired designs include speed, reliability, and deterministic behavior, with reduced risk of software bugs. Disadvantages include rigidity and higher costs for changes, since modifying hardware can be more complex than updating software. In practice, engineering often combines hardwired elements for core, time-critical functions with software for flexibility and adaptability.