Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1 An Introduction to Device Drivers One of the many advantages of free operating systems, as typified by Linux, is that their internals are open for all to view. The operating system, once a dark and myste- rious area whose code was restricted to a small number of programmers, can now be readily examined, understood, and modified by anybody with the requisite skills. Linux has helped to democratize operating systems. The Linux kernel remains a large and complex body of code, however, and would-be kernel hackers need an entry point where they can approach the code without being overwhelmed by com- plexity. Often, device drivers provide that gateway. Device drivers take on a special role in the Linux kernel. They are distinct “black boxes” that make a particular piece of hardware respond to a well-defined internal programming interface; they hide completely the details of how the device
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