>A softcore is a CPU to run on an FPGA. Technically it's a core that's supplied as RTL (code). There's nothing stopping you using it in custom silicon instead

>A softcore is a CPU to run on an FPGA. Technically it's a core that's supplied as RTL (code). There's nothing stopping you using it in custom silicon instead of on an FPGA. Whereas a "hard IP" core is already compiled down to a specific technology and can only be used there. It's possible for a hard macro to be for an FPGA, but it would be for a specific product line. A "hard macro" for custom silicon would be specific to a particular fab process.