What does firmware provide for a computer system?

Firmware is a type of software that is embedded into hardware devices to provide low-level control for that device. It typically contains the essential instructions that a computer system needs to boot up and operate basic functions. This involves controlling the device’s hardware and allowing the operating system to communicate with it. Because firmware is written directly onto the device's memory, it is often referred to as read-only software.

The correct answer reflects this definition, highlighting that firmware provides the foundational instructions necessary for hardware initialization and operation. Without firmware, many hardware components would be non-functional or unable to communicate effectively with the higher-level software applications.

The other options do not accurately describe the role of firmware. Temporary storage solutions pertain to RAM or cache, system performance analytics relate to software that monitors and analyzes performance, and driver installation features usually refer to additional software that helps the operating system interact with hardware devices rather than the embedded instructions contained within the devices themselves.