What is the main purpose of a file system in an operating system?

The main purpose of a file system in an operating system is to manage data storage. A file system provides a structured way to store, retrieve, and organize data on storage devices such as hard drives, SSDs, or other types of storage media. It defines how data is named, stored, and organized within the file structure, as well as how the operating system interacts with the data.

By managing data storage, the file system allows users and applications to create, delete, read, and write files and directories efficiently. It maintains data integrity, manages space allocation, and ensures that different processes can safely access files without interference. Additionally, it provides access permissions, thereby enhancing security and managing how users can interact with files.

Other options, while essential functions of an operating system, do not specifically define the role of a file system. Providing user interfaces pertains to how users interact with the operating system, managing hardware resources refers to how the OS allocates CPU and memory among processes, and executing applications relates to process management. Each of these functions is crucial for the overall operation of the system, but they do not encompass the primary role of a file system.