TeX outputs a file in DVI (DeVice Independent) format as a compact representation of the original document. DVI files can be translated to meet the requirements of a real physical device, such as PostScript printers (see section `Introduction' in Dvips), PCL printers (see dvilj(1)), and X displays (see xdvi(1)). In fact, DVI translators are available for virtually all common devices: see `CTAN:/dviware' (for CTAN info, see section `unixtex.ftp' in Kpathsea).
For the precise definition of the DVI file format, see (for example) the source file `web2c/dvitype.web'.
The DVI-processing programs in the Web2c distribution are not device drivers; they perform generic utility functions.
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