Computer question from Laboratory Attendant exam, 2026 by JKSSB
Which statement is correct regarding the interaction between computer hardware and system software?
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option C —
operating system acts as an intermediary between hardware and application software by managing resources and providing hardware abstraction.
Explanation:
Why C is correct: The operating system (OS) is the primary type of system software. It hides the complex, low-level details of the physical hardware (like CPU cycles, disk sectors, and RAM addresses) and provides a uniform interface (hardware abstraction) that application software can easily use to run tasks.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A is incorrect: System software is highly dependent on hardware. It frequently interacts with physical components using low-level languages (like assembly or machine code) and specific device drivers.
B is incorrect: Firmware is a specialized type of system software (not application software) embedded deeply into hardware components (like the BIOS/UEFI on a motherboard) to provide low-level control.
D is incorrect: Application software cannot alter CPU microarchitecture (the physical design and logic circuits of the processor). Furthermore, applications can never bypass the system software to interact with hardware directly due to modern security and resource management protocols.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
