Which defines the role of an Operating System (OS)?

The role of an Operating System (OS) primarily entails managing hardware resources. This involves overseeing the computer's hardware components, such as the CPU, memory, storage devices, and input/output devices, ensuring that they work together efficiently. The OS acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware, enabling applications to run by allocating the necessary resources and managing tasks effectively.

While processing data into binary code is an essential function of computers at a fundamental level, this task is more related to how data is interpreted and managed rather than the OS's primary responsibilities. Compiling applications relates to transforming source code into executable programs, which is a specific function of compilers rather than the OS itself. Supporting networking protocols is also a function but falls under a subset of tasks managed by the OS, specifically in how it handles data communication, rather than its overarching role in resource management. Hence, managing hardware resources remains the core definition of an OS.