What is the function of a device driver in an operating system?
a) To act as a translator between hardware devices and the operating system
b) To manage the scheduling of processes
c) To handle memory allocation
d) To control network communications
Answer:
a) To act as a translator between hardware devices and the operating system
Explanation:
A device driver is software that allows an operating system to communicate with hardware devices such as printers, keyboards, or hard drives. It acts as a translator between the hardware and the operating system, converting OS instructions into device-specific commands that the hardware can execute.
Without device drivers, the operating system would not be able to interface with the hardware. Each hardware device requires a specific driver to function properly within the system. Drivers handle functions like sending data to a printer or receiving input from a keyboard.
Device drivers play a critical role in the smooth operation of an OS by ensuring that all hardware components work as intended with the system software.