What function do device drivers serve in a computer system?

Device drivers play a crucial role in the functioning of a computer system by serving as intermediaries that facilitate communication between the operating system (OS) and hardware components. When the OS needs to interact with a specific hardware device, such as a printer, graphics card, or network adapter, it relies on the appropriate device driver to interpret commands and manage communication effectively.

The device driver translates the OS's generalized commands into device-specific instructions that the hardware can understand and act upon. This enables the OS to control hardware devices without needing to know the intricate details of how each device operates. The presence of device drivers allows software applications to utilize hardware resources seamlessly, ensuring that the computing experience is efficient and user-friendly.

In contrast, other options do not accurately describe the primary function of device drivers: they do not defend against malware, manage system resources for applications directly, or provide user interfaces for applications. Instead, these tasks are handled by different components of the operating system and software architecture.