What is the role of the operating system?

The role of the operating system is fundamentally to act as an intermediary between the user and the computer hardware. It executes applications, allowing users to run various software programs and perform tasks. Furthermore, the operating system manages hardware resources such as the CPU, memory, disk space, and input/output devices, ensuring that all components work together efficiently and effectively. This management involves allocating resources, scheduling tasks, and handling communication between hardware and software.

The other choices, while related to computing, do not capture the primary functions of an operating system. Storing data permanently is typically the role of storage devices, where data is kept over the long term, rather than an operating system itself. Preventing viruses falls more under the domain of security programs or antivirus software, which work within or alongside an operating system. Likewise, increasing CPU speed is influenced by hardware capabilities and performance optimization but is not a direct role of the operating system.