What is the overall function of an operating system?

The primary function of an operating system (OS) is to provide a platform for application software, serving as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware. It manages hardware resources, allowing different software applications to run concurrently and efficiently. The OS handles tasks such as memory management, process scheduling, and input/output operations, ensuring that the applications function smoothly and effectively. By doing so, it allows developers to create software without needing to manage the underlying hardware, thus enabling a diverse range of applications to run on a single system.

Other potential options, while relevant in different contexts, do not encapsulate the central role of an OS in the same comprehensive way. Executing user commands is a part of what the OS does, but it doesn’t capture the broader scope of providing a framework for running applications. The focus on enhancing video gaming and web development pertains to specific applications rather than the fundamental duties of the operating system itself.