Driverselectable

Driverselectable refers to the property of a hardware device, firmware, or software component that permits a user or system to choose which software driver should control or interface with the device. The chosen driver governs how the device is initialized, communicates on the bus, and exposes its features to the operating system.

Implementation varies by platform. In desktop and server operating systems, the driver binding process can be directed by the user through a device manager, a boot-time parameter, or module loading tools. In embedded systems, a feature flag, a hardware pin, or a firmware setting may select among multiple available drivers.

Common scenarios include selecting between manufacturer-supplied and open-source drivers, choosing between stack implementations for a network interface, or picking between open and proprietary graphics drivers. Some platforms offer runtime switching, while others require a restart or firmware re-flash.

Benefits include greater hardware compatibility, easier troubleshooting, and performance tuning. Downsides include increased system complexity, potential instability if incompatible drivers are selected, and the need for user knowledge to make a correct choice.

See also: driver, kernel module, Plug and Play, driver binding, device tree. Note: The term is not tied to a single standard and may be used informally to describe capability rather than a formal specification.