Functions of device drivers hardware software components

 · It manages hardware, runs applications, provides an interface for users, and stores, retrieves, and manipu- lates files. In general, an operating system acts as the middleman between applica- tions and hardware (see Figure ). RAM Hard drivePrinter. CPU. In computing, a device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to a computer or automaton. A driver provides a software interface to hardware devices, enabling operating systems and other computer programs to access hardware functions without needing to know precise details about the hardware being used.  · The main function of a device driver is simple. It serves as a program embedded with specific communication protocols used by a particular hardware component attached to a computer for properly working with the OS and all related applications installed on .

These functions perform many device installation tasks such as searching for INF files, building a potential list of drivers for a device, copying driver files, writing information to the registry, and registering device co-installers. Device drivers function by relaying requests for device access and actions from the operating system and any active application to the respective hardware devices. Furthermore, device drivers also deliver outputs or messages/status from the hardware devices to the operating system (and thus to the applications themselves). Device drivers operate within the kernel of the operating system. The kernel is a part of the of the operating system that has direct interactions with the physical. Device drivers help application programs and the operating system do their tasks. Device drivers (in particular, adapters), do not interact with you. They interact directly with computer hardware elements and shield the application programs from the hardware specifics of computers.

Installing hardware devices and drivers is much simpler in Windows 7 than in (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express [PCIe], Peripheral Component. Summary. This chapter discussed device drivers, the type of software needed to manage the hardware in an embedded system. The chapter also introduced a. Operating systems have many functions: controlling hardware. components; providing a platform for software.