List the main functions of an operating system.

The primary functions of an operating system (OS) are centered around managing both the hardware and software resources of a computer system. One of the key roles is facilitating communication and managing files. This encompasses a variety of critical tasks including:

• Managing System Resources: The OS serves as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware. It facilitates efficient communication between the user applications and the underlying hardware components, ensuring that the system runs smoothly.

• File Management: The operating system provides a way to store, retrieve, and organize files on storage devices. It controls how data is created, accessed, and stored, enabling users to save their work and manage the directories where files are kept.

• Process Management: This includes handling the execution of processes, allowing multiple applications to run concurrently, and managing the scheduling of these processes to optimize performance.

• Device Management: The OS manages device communication and control, ensuring that input and output operations to hardware devices (like keyboards, printers, and monitors) are performed successfully.

While other options mention relevant aspects related to operating systems, they do not encapsulate the comprehensive functions that include communication and file management, which are essential to how an OS operates and interacts with users and applications.