What is the primary function of device drivers in an operating system?

The primary function of device drivers in an operating system is to control hardware devices. Device drivers serve as a communication bridge between the operating system and the hardware components of a computer. When an application or the operating system needs to interact with a specific hardware device, such as a printer, graphics card, or hard drive, it sends commands through the device driver. This driver translates the generic commands into device-specific instructions that the hardware can understand and execute.

This function is crucial because each hardware device typically requires its own driver to manage its particular functionalities and operations. Without device drivers, the operating system would not be able to effectively utilize or control the hardware, leading to a loss of device interoperability and functionality.