A device driver and device controller are two software which are well known in the world of software. A person who is well versed in the world of programming 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 among them.
Device Driver vs Device Controller
The main difference between a device driver and a device controller is that a device driver is used by a person 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 unit 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 Between Device Driver and Device Controller
| 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 in controlling and managing the devices that are attached to a computer. This is done by providing the required amount of functions for controlling different parts of the device Through programs generated by different kinds of 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 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 kind of 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 device controller fixed in it 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, and on the other hand, a device controller is a hardwired program.
- The kernel device drivers and the user device drivers are the two type 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 kind of operating systems, and on the other hand, a device controller is a kind of hardware programming which 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.
Conclusion
When a person buys any kind of device, there is always a device driver and a device controller attached to it. It is a must to have both these software and hardware programs to be in a device that makes it easy for functioning in the smoothest way possible of a computer device.
Both these programs are used by performing various Functions, which include acting as a link between the device and the OS of a computer. Every type of device driver and every type of device controller have differences based on their functions, and how they are performing, and in what context they are put to us.
References
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/525144/
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7106921/