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TWAIN is a software protocol that allows imaging devices like scanners and digital cameras to communicate directly with computer applications. It provides a standard way for a device to send images to software such as Adobe Photoshop or a word processor, eliminating the need to manually save files and open them in a separate application. The name is not an acronym but comes from the Rudyard Kipling poem, though "Technology Without an Interesting Name" is a popular backronym.

How it works

Standardized communication: TWAIN establishes a universal language between imaging hardware and software, reducing the need for numerous device-specific drivers.

Direct transfer: When you scan an image, the TWAIN driver connects your scanning hardware to the application you are using, allowing you to transfer the image directly into it.

No manual file saving: Without TWAIN, you would have to use a separate application to capture the image, save it to a file, and then open that file in another program. TWAIN streamlines this process.

TWAIN Direct: A newer version, TWAIN Direct, was introduced to allow direct network communication between a device and an application, removing the need for device-specific drivers. This version also adds support for mobile operating systems like Android and iOS by working over networks such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.