## Input/Output Device Driver Reference

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### Introduction

Device drivers are software modules that act as an interface between OS/2* (or its applications) and physical devices. In DOS, applications are responsible for knowing and managing all the differences between different devices of like types. The device drivers of OS/2 enable applications to focus on the logic of the actual application and treat devices in a device- independent way.

This device-independence is a fundamental benefit of the OS/2 programming environment. For example, drawing a circle on the screen or on a printer is as easy as opening a device context for the correct output device and performing the drawing operations. By placing the drawing operation into the device context, the programmer does not have to be concerned about whether the device is a printer or a display.