A device driver and device controller are two software which is well known in the world of software. A person well versed in the programming world will be well-fledged with the terms device driver and device controller.
Though both these terms are used interchangeably by many people there, do occur certain differences between them.
Key Takeaways
- A device driver is a software that enables communication between a computer and a specific hardware device. In contrast, a device controller is a physical component that manages the operation of the device.
- Device drivers are installed on the computer’s operating system, while device controllers are integrated into the hardware.
- Device drivers and controllers work together to ensure that the hardware device functions properly and can be used by the computer.
Device Driver vs Device Controller
A person uses a device driver for the performance of activities as a software program, and on the other hand, a device controller is used by a person for performing various activities related to hardware units for many terms.
A device driver is a software program that is used for running and operating the systems that interact with a part of a device in the computer. It is a code that is set for the OS users, which helps to allow the empowerment of specific commands that are associated with a device.
A device controller is a hardware program that is used for attaching the OS of a computer and works in the phase by linking the device and the device driver. This is a component in electronics that are used for handling the link between Ongoing and outgoing signals in a CPU by having chips.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Device Driver | Device Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Type of program | This is a software program. | This is a hardware program. |
| Types | The kernel device drivers and the user device drivers are the two types of this program. | The SCSI is a serial portal which is enough for the working of this program. |
| Function | This program helps in communication with the OS of different computer devices. | This program helps to sense the links between the ongoing and ingoing signals from an OS of a computer. |
| Characteristic | This program is a kind of software programming which helps in interacting with different kind of operating systems. | This program is a kind of hardware programming used for acting as a bridge between operating systems in a computer. |
| Concept | This software program has a broader concept. | This hardware program has a narrow concept. |
What is Device Driver?
A device driver is a software program that is used for running and operating the systems that interact with a part of a device in the computer. It is a code that is set for the OS users, which helps to allow the empowerment of specific commands that are associated with a device.
This device helps control and manage the devices attached to a computer. This is done by providing the required number of functions for controlling different parts of the device Through programs generated by different software.
There is a device driver in each device that we purchase.
These device drivers are a low level of programming software. This helps the computer to perform Functions used for communication through different types of hardware devices.
This is done without having to worry about the detailing of how the hardware works. This helps in providing an ample amount of knowledge for performing these activities.
What is Device Controller?
A device controller is a hardware program that is used for attaching the OS of a computer and works in the phase by linking the device and the device driver. This is a component in electronics that are used for handling the link between Ongoing and outgoing signals in a CPU by having chips.
A device controller acts as a highway between a device and any software that is available for receiving commands from the OS. These functions include buttons such as read, write, etc.
Every button and controller of different types of controllers vary from each other, having differences on the basis of how they are used.
There is also a kind of software that acts as a linkage for running as a part of the OS in a computer. This is done for interaction purposes.
Every device we buy from the market will always have a fixed device controller for performing various functions in a device through communication with the OS.
Main Differences Between Device Driver and Device Controller
- A device driver is a software program; conversely, a device controller is a hardwired program.
- The kernel device drivers and the user device drivers are the two types of device drivers, and on the other hand, the SCSI is a serial portal which is enough for the working of a device controller.
- A device driver helps in communication with the OS of different computer devices, and on the other hand, a device controller helps to sense the links between the ongoing and ingoing signals from an OS of a computer.
- The device driver is a kind of software programming which helps in interacting with different kinds of operating systems, and on the other hand, a device controller is a kind of hardware programming that is used for acting as a bridge between operating systems in a computer.
- A device driver is a broader concept, and on the other hand, a device controller is a narrow concept.
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/525144/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7106921/
Last Updated : 14 October, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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