← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Device drivers

Software that lets the operating system talk to a piece of hardware, such as a printer, so the device works properly.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 17, 9-10 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 3, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts — Module 22, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 11

Understanding Device drivers in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: If the operating system does not already have the driver, the printer will not work properly until one is installed. Drivers are programs, so they are software. They help the operating system use hardware.

Common mistakes: A single = assigns a value. To check whether the driver is missing, the if line needs the comparison operator ==: if driver_installed == False:. Python's Boolean value is False with a capital F. Writing false causes a NameError. It should be has_driver = False.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 11–20) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
What does a device driver do?
It lets the operating system communicate with a piece of hardwareIt makes the hardware physically bigger and stronger
Matches
A driver is hardware that you plug into the computer
↓
A driver is software, not hardware. It lets the operating system communicate with a device.
Applying
Meanings
Term
device driver
Meaning
Software that lets the operating system talk to a piece of hardware, such as a printer, so the device works properly.
Practice
plug in new printer
Testing
Gaps
A driver lets the talk to hardware
Check Answer
Spots
2device = "printer"
3if driver_installed = False:

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Quick Questions

1. What does a device driver do?
A. It lets the operating system communicate with a piece of hardware ✓
B. It makes the hardware physically bigger and stronger
A driver is software that acts like a translator between the operating system and a hardware device.
2. A driver is a type of...
A. Software ✓
B. Hardware
Drivers are programs, so they are software. They help the operating system use hardware.
3. You plug in a brand new printer and it does not print. What might be missing?
A. The correct driver for the printer ✓
B. More paper in the keyboard
A new printer may need a driver so the operating system knows how to send print jobs to it.
4. Which statement about plug and play is correct?
A. You must always write the driver yourself before the device works
B. The operating system finds the device and sets up a driver automatically ✓
Plug and play means the operating system can detect a new device and install a suitable driver, often with no effort from you.
5. Why might you update a driver?
A. To turn the device into a different type of hardware
B. To fix problems and help the device work better with the operating system ✓
Updated drivers can fix bugs, improve performance and keep devices working with the latest operating system.

Match the Pairs

device driver → Software that lets the operating system communicate with a piece of hardware
plug and play → The operating system detects a new device and installs a suitable driver automatically
A new printer may need a driver before the operating system can use it → install printer driver
Updating a driver gives the operating system the latest instructions for talking to the hardware → update graphics driver
A driver is hardware that you plug into the computer → A driver is software, not hardware. It lets the operating system communicate with a device.
Plug in a new printer and it always works without any driver → A printer needs a driver to work. Plug and play only means the driver may be installed automatically.

Key Term

device driver
Software that lets the operating system talk to a piece of hardware, such as a printer, so the device works properly.

Fill in the Blanks

1. A driver lets the OS talk to hardware
Hint: Type the two-letter abbreviation for the main software that runs the computer.
2. Plug and play finds a driver automatically
Hint: Type the word that completes the name of the feature that sets up new devices by itself.
3. A new printer may need a driver installed
Hint: Type the output device that puts text and images onto paper.
4. Update drivers to fix device problems
Hint: Type the action word for getting a newer version of a driver.
5. Program -> OS -> driver -> hardware
Hint: Type the software that sits between the operating system and the hardware.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A driver_installed = False
B device = "printer"
C if driver_installed = False:
D print("Install the driver")
Line C — A single = assigns a value. To check whether the driver is missing, the if line needs the comparison operator ==: if driver_installed == False:
Question 2
A device = "new printer"
B has_driver = false
C if not has_driver:
D print("Needs a driver")
Line B — Python's Boolean value is False with a capital F. Writing false causes a NameError. It should be has_driver = False.
Question 3
A def install_driver(device):
B print("Installing" device)
C install_driver("printer")
Line B — The items inside print() must be separated by a comma. It should be print("Installing", device).
Question 4
A plug_and_play = True
B device = "USB mouse"
C if plug_and_play == True
D print("Works right away")
Line C — An if statement must end with a colon. It should be if plug_and_play == True: so the device works right away with plug and play.
Question 5
A version = 1
B update_ready = True
C if update_ready:
D version = version - 1
E print("Driver version", version)
Line D — Updating a driver moves it to a newer version, so the number should go up. It should be version = version + 1.

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