device driver
Peripheral communication software
A device driver is software that allows an operating system to communicate with a specific piece of hardware—a printer, graphics card, or keyboard.
The driver translates general commands into instructions the hardware understands.
When hardware malfunctions, updating the driver is often the first troubleshooting step.
Usually shortened to driver.
Seed or essential core
- operating systemSoftware managing computer resources
- APISoftware communication standard
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
- middlewareInter-application bridging software
binary · system software · resource management · hardware abstraction · DLL · HAL · DirectX
Machine producing paper copies
- scannerDevice that reads data
- graphics cardVisual processing hardware
- sound cardComputer audio interface board
- network adapterDevice enabling network connectivity
USB · Bluetooth · Wi-Fi · ethernet · mouse · keyboard · webcam · touchpad
How something is arranged
- configurationArrangement of parts
- installerOne who sets up
- wizardPractitioner of sorcery
- downloadRemote-to-local data transfer
extract · reboot · plug and play · rollback · Windows Update · uninstall · reinstall · autorun
Material covering damage
- upgradeRaise to higher standard
- release notesSoftware update summary
- versionA distinct form
- bugfixRepair to flawed software
revision · optimization · performance · maintenance · hotfix · changelog
Metal goods and fittings
- operating systemSoftware managing computer resources
- interoperabilityCross-platform functional harmony
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
- peripheralsExternal computer equipment
chipset · 32-bit · 64-bit · legacy · backward compatible · certified · cross-platform
kernel
Seed or essential core
- operating systemSoftware managing computer resources
- APISoftware communication standard
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
middleware · binary · system software · resource management · hardware abstraction · DLL · HAL · DirectX
printer
Machine producing paper copies
- scannerDevice that reads data
- graphics cardVisual processing hardware
- sound cardComputer audio interface board
network adapter · USB · Bluetooth · Wi-Fi · ethernet · mouse · keyboard · webcam · touchpad · modem
setup
How something is arranged
- configurationArrangement of parts
- installerOne who sets up
- wizardPractitioner of sorcery
download · extract · reboot · plug and play · rollback · Windows Update · uninstall · reinstall · autorun
patch
Material covering damage
- upgradeRaise to higher standard
- release notesSoftware update summary
- versionA distinct form
bugfix · revision · optimization · performance · maintenance · hotfix · changelog
hardware
Metal goods and fittings
- operating systemSoftware managing computer resources
- interoperabilityCross-platform functional harmony
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
peripherals · chipset · 32-bit · 64-bit · legacy · backward compatible · certified · cross-platform
- DOS ComputingMS-DOS, DOS, DOS prompt, command line, CONFIG.SYS
- I/Oinput, output, stdin, stdout, read
- system softwareoperating system, kernel panic, memory management, process, threads
- computer hardwareCPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, hard drive
- compatibilitycompatible, incompatible, match, mismatch, fit
- PC hardwareCPU, GPU, RAM, ROM, hard drive
device driverhardware
Metal goods and fittings
firmware · peripheral · peripheral device · circuitry · circuit board
device, driver, devise, devices, devising, devised, deviser, devisee, device drivers