"Hard-wiring"

Debra   Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:23 am GMT
I need some help, please.
I am not sure about the meaning of “hard-wiring” in the phrase:
“This affection is the result of the hard-wiring of his own childhood”
I think this may mean that the person had a very difficult (hard?) childhood, but this usage of “hard-wiring” seems strange to me. I could find only definitions that involve electronics. Might this expression be a… what? A figure of speech, a pan? Is it commonly used or just a witticism?
Debra   Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:52 am GMT
O, thank you, mjd
I see now.
Robin Michael   Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:30 am GMT
The reference to 'Hard Wiring' is an analogy with the way that Computers work.

They are either 'Hard Wired' or 'Software' driven.

So, the computer chip in a camera is 'hard wired' to perform certain tasks. Whereas, the computer chip in a PC (Personal Computer) (Desktop or Laptop) is able to perform a wide variety of tasks depending on the software that is being used.

Something that is 'hardwired' can only be changed, by changing the computer chip.

Something that is 'software driven' can be 're-programmed'.

So, a robot might be 'hard-wired' to perform a specific task. Whereas a 'Human Being' can be programmed to perform a variety of different tasks.