Yes, it is a different experience because with software programming we are letting system programs like the OS handle the hardware and we don't manipulate it di

Yes, it is a different experience because with software programming we are letting system programs like the OS handle the hardware and we don't manipulate it directly. And computer hardware is standardised. Where as when doing hardware programming, you have to necessarily understand the individual hardware to program and control it - there is often no abstract software lawyer in between to make this task easier for us. And the hardwares are quite diverse.