What is the primary function of an operating system?

The primary function of an operating system is to keep hardware running efficiently. The operating system acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware. It manages hardware resources, including the CPU, memory, storage devices, and peripheral devices like printers and scanners. By coordinating the use of these resources, the operating system ensures that each application has the necessary hardware access and performs smoothly, effectively enhancing overall system performance.

While network security is important and often handled by operating systems, it is not their primary function. Similarly, creating software applications is typically the role of developers and programming environments, rather than the operating system itself. User documentation can be helpful for navigating the system but does not relate to the core operational duties of the operating system. Thus, the correct understanding of the primary role of an operating system centers around ensuring efficient operation and management of hardware resources.