What is the core function of an operating system?

The core function of an operating system is fundamentally about managing the computer system as a whole. An operating system acts as an intermediary between users and the hardware of a computer, facilitating resource management, task scheduling, memory management, and ensuring overall system functionality.

Managing the computer system encompasses several critical functions: it oversees hardware components, including processors, memory, and storage devices, and coordinates their usage to optimize performance. It also ensures that applications have the resources they require while maintaining stability and security. This broad responsibility illustrates why managing the computer system is central to the operating system's role.

While managing user interfaces, the device manager, and the kernel are indeed important aspects of an operating system, they are specific functions or components within the larger responsibility of managing the entire system. This distinction highlights why the comprehensive view of system management is considered the core function.