What does this sentance mean?

shnackattack · #1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2003, 12:34 PM

Hi

The sentance below taks about "software managing the functionality of a device". Is it talking about the device drivers or is the "software managing the functionality of a device" a different thing?

The sentance:
The software managing the functionality of a device could either be implemented in the device controller or within the kernel of the operating system.

Thanks

Sualdam · #2 (**permalink**) 12-20-2003, 05:32 PM

Assuming that the device is attached to a computer, I'd take that as referring to either firmware residing in a chip on the device itself (the device controller) or as a software driver in the computer's operating system (the kernel of the OS) loaded at boot up.

Would that make sense?

shnackattack · #3 (**permalink**) 12-21-2003, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the reply.

This sentance talks about one thing, that could be either implemented in the device controller or within the kernel of the operating system. So, i thought it meant a device driver.

Sualdam · #4 (**permalink**) 12-21-2003, 07:59 AM

Without knowing the exact context it is hard to be precise.

But think of it this way. The device needs software to control it. That software can either be 'built-in' (the firmware, or 'device controller') or 'external' (a device driver in the OS of the main system to which the device is connected).