ioctl

IOCTL (Input/Output Control) is a system call used in operating systems to communicate with device drivers. It allows software applications to send specific commands or request information from hardware devices (like printers or disk drives) that aren't handled by regular data transfer methods. Think of it as a way for programs to ask specialized questions or issue detailed instructions to hardware, beyond simple read or write operations. This helps in configuring devices or retrieving status details, enabling flexible and precise control over hardware components.