driverlast

Driverlast is a term used in software architecture to describe the final driver layer in a multi-layer driver stack, or more generally, a convention for identifying the last driver in a pipeline that interfaces with hardware or external services. The concept is not a formal standard but a descriptive label used in discussions of modular device drivers and plugin architectures.

Generally, a driverlast component is responsible for final data formatting, resource cleanup, and coordinating with higher-level subsystems. In a chain of drivers, earlier stages may handle protocol translation or buffering, while the driverlast applies final policies, error handling, and deinitialization as a guard against leaks. This positioning helps ensure a stable and predictable interface for upper layers.

In embedded and virtualization contexts, the driverlast pattern can help ensure that the ultimate interface seen by applications is stable and that dependencies are resolved at the end of the chain. Critics note that the term is informal and can cause confusion without clear documentation about its role in a given project.

Related concepts include device driver stacks, driver isolation, and the adapter or façade patterns used to present a uniform interface to upper layers. See also: device driver, driver stack, plugin architecture, adapter pattern, resource cleanup.