A device driver or a software driver is a specific type of
computer software typically developed to allow communication with hardware
devices such as a mouse or a printer.
This software causes an interface for communicating with the device
through the specific computer “bus” or communication subsystem that the
hardware is connected to. The software
provides commands to and receives data from the device and, on the other end,
the requisite interfaces to the operating system and software applications.
In plain English, a device driver is a program that allows
various hardware to work on your system.
The driver will allow your hardware to communicate with your operating
system making the devices operable in the proper way. The user installs the driver and then the
program allows the hardware to operate transparently without user input.
Computers and their operating systems cannot be expected to
know how to control every device both now and in the future. To solve this problem, operating systems
basically dictate how every type of device should be controlled. The device driver then translates these
operating system mandated function cells into device specific calls. In theory, a new device which is controlled
in a new manner should function properly is a suitable driver is
available. This new driver will insure
that the device appears to operate as usual from the operating system's point
of view.
Depending on the specific computer architecture, drivers can
be 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit and more. This
corresponds directly to the way the operating system is set up for which those
drivers were developed. For example, in
16-bit Windows 3.11, most drivers were 16-bits which most drivers for 32-bit
Windows XP are 32-bit.
New computers will often have device drivers already loaded
into the system to make it easier for the user to just open the box and use
their new system. But if you should
happen to buy a separate component for your system such as a joystick or
printer, you will most likely need to install a device driver. The driver will come with the system, usually
on a storage device like a CD-ROM. They
will give you information on how to install the software and it is really quite
easy if you follow the directions.
You cannot operate your computer system with separate
components like a mouse without a device driver for that mouse. If you find that any part of your computer is
not running properly, you may need to update your device drivers. Simply go to the website of the manufacturer
of your hardware and they will usually have updated drivers available free for
download.
