Final answer:
Firmware or system software allows the operating system of a computer to control the microprocessor and other functions. Stored on microchips, it processes data and manages resources, and is continually developed by computer engineers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essential set of programs and computer code that enables a computer operating system to manage a microprocessor, disk, memory, and perform other central functions is known as the computer's firmware or system software.
The firmware, stored on microchips, acts as the intermediary between the hardware components and the high-level operations that users execute on their computers. At the heart of these interactions is the microprocessor, an integrated circuit that processes and manipulates data to achieve a wide range of functions.
The microprocessor and its code drive the foundational processes that allow computers to execute complex tasks, from managing system resources like memory to performing specific user-directed activities such as word processing or running applications. Computer engineers and scientists constantly develop and improve these systems to ensure more efficient and powerful computational capabilities.