A machine driver or even a software driver is a specific type of application typically designed to allow interaction with hardware devices say for example a mouse or maybe a printer. This software causes an interface for communicating with the unit 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 enables various hardware to work on your system. The driver allows your hardware to communicate with your os making the devices operable in the correct way. The user installs the driver and then the program allows the hardware to operate transparently without user input.
Pcs and their os’s can not be expected to learn how to control every device both now and in the long run. To solve this challenge, operating systems basically dictate how every type of device must 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 correctly 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 recently 64-bit. 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, you will most likely need to install a device driver. The driver includes the system, usually on a storage device like a CD-ROM. They will give you instructions on how to install the software and it is really quite easy if you follow the directions.
You can’t operate your laptop 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.
Even device drivers however do need to be regularly updated and kept up to date. There are lots of ways you could go to update the drivers, however without doubt one of my personally preferred technique is with the best driver update software, I believe, that handles all the pain and cumbersome conditions that I may usually spend hunting for the latest drivers for my devices, but with driver update software that’s a lot easier.