Information Systems and Computer Applications CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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Prepare for the CLEP Information Systems & Computer Applications Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations to help you succeed. Master the content and pass your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What is the purpose of an operating system?

To monitor a system's performance
To provide a platform for applications
To enable communication with other computers
To store and manage data

The correct answer is: To provide a platform for applications

An operating system does more than just provide a platform for applications. While it does allow applications to run, that is not its sole purpose. An operating system also manages hardware and software resources, provides security controls, provides a user interface, and enables communication between different components of the computer. Therefore, while the other options may be some of the functions of an operating system, the main purpose is to serve as a platform for applications.