What is the primary purpose of device drivers?

The primary purpose of device drivers is to facilitate communication between hardware components and the operating system (OS). A device driver is a specialized software program that allows the OS to communicate with the hardware devices, such as printers, graphics cards, keyboards, and other peripherals. When a hardware device is connected to a computer, the OS needs to understand how to properly interact with it, including how to send commands and receive data. Device drivers serve this essential function by providing the necessary interface and translations that enable the OS to manage the hardware effectively.

While connecting peripherals via USB is a function related to hardware connectivity, it does not encompass the broader role that device drivers play in enabling the OS to communicate with various types of hardware. Similarly, enhancing screen resolution is a specific capability that may depend on the graphics driver but does not represent the overall purpose of device drivers as a whole. Management of network settings may involve drivers for network devices, but again, it is a more limited aspect compared to the central role of communication between all types of hardware and the OS.