Driver (clipper)

A driver in the context of Clipper, a dBase-compatible compiler and programming language, refers to a software component that allows a Clipper application to interact with specific hardware or software. These drivers typically handle tasks such as:

• Database Access: Allowing the Clipper application to read, write, and manipulate data stored in specific database formats like DBF files, or through connectivity to other database systems via external libraries. This is perhaps the most common use case.

• Hardware Communication: Enabling communication with specific hardware devices such as printers, barcode scanners, or other peripherals. Drivers translate generic Clipper commands into specific instructions understood by the hardware.

• Operating System Interaction: Providing access to operating system functions not directly exposed by the Clipper language itself. This might include file system operations, memory management, or access to system APIs.

• Network Communication: Facilitating communication over networks, allowing Clipper applications to interact with servers or other networked devices.

Drivers are usually implemented as external libraries or modules that are linked with the Clipper application during the compilation process. The Clipper application then calls functions within these libraries to perform the desired actions. Without the appropriate drivers, a Clipper application may not be able to access the necessary resources or communicate with the required hardware or software components.