runnerdriver

Runnerdriver is a software abstraction used to coordinate the execution of tasks by a runner with the capabilities of a hardware or software driver. It acts as a mediator that translates high level task requests into driver calls, and then reports results back to the runner.

In typical implementations, the architecture consists of three parts: the runner, the driver, and the runnerdriver component that binds them together. The runner schedules and dispatches tasks; the driver provides the concrete interface to a device or subsystem; the runnerdriver translates commands, manages lifecycles, and handles errors, timeouts, and retries.

Key features include asynchronous operation, queuing, command translation, error propagation, and observability through logging and tracing. The pattern promotes modularity by decoupling control flow from hardware or external system interfaces, enabling easier testing and replacement of drivers without changing the runner logic.

Common use cases are automated testing frameworks that drive hardware under test, robotics control loops that separate decision logic from hardware APIs, and IoT or industrial automation platforms that manage many devices through uniform interfaces.

Implementation can vary by language and ecosystem, but typical variants expose a defined driver interface that the runnerdriver implements, along with a set of commands or intents the runner can issue. Some projects treat the runnerdriver as middleware or as part of a command pattern.

See also: adapter pattern, command pattern, device driver, runner, middleware, robotics software architecture.