Final answer:
A device driver is software that allows the operating system to interact with a specific hardware device.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of software that the computer's operating system uses to interact with only one specific type of hardware device is a device driver. A device driver is software that allows the operating system to communicate with a particular hardware device, such as a printer, keyboard, or graphics card.
Device drivers are essential for the proper functioning of hardware devices because they provide a standardized interface for the operating system to access and control the device. Without the appropriate device driver, the operating system may not be able to recognize or utilize the hardware device.
For example, if you connect a printer to your computer, you need to install the printer's specific device driver to ensure that the operating system can communicate with and control the printer. The device driver acts as a translator between the operating system and the printer, enabling them to understand each other.