What type of software is used to control physical printers?

Printer drivers and firmware serve as the essential bridge between the operating system and the printer, enabling them to communicate effectively. Printer drivers are specialized software that translates the data from your computer into a format that the printer can understand, ensuring that documents are printed as intended. They manage the specific functions of the printer, such as adjusting settings for paper size, quality, and types of printing (like color or grayscale).

Firmware, on the other hand, is software embedded in the printer hardware itself that controls its functions. It governs how the printer operates on a fundamental level, including how it processes print jobs. Both are critical for enabling the user to send print commands from their device and for the printer to execute these commands accurately.

Operating systems, while necessary for managing all of a computer's hardware and software resources, do not directly control printers; they rely on printer drivers for that purpose. Application software, such as word processors or spreadsheets, provides the content to be printed but does not handle the printer’s operation. Utility software typically performs maintenance or optimization tasks on the computer, rather than directly managing hardware operations like printing. Thus, printer drivers and firmware specifically fulfill the role of controlling physical printers.