Which of the following is a type of system software?

The reasoning behind identifying an operating system as a type of system software lies in its fundamental role in managing computer hardware and software resources. System software serves as a bridge between applications and the hardware of a computer, enabling the execution of application programs and managing system resources such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices.

An operating system provides essential functions such as process management, memory management, and file management. It allows users to interact with the computer hardware through an intuitive interface while coordinating the operations of various hardware components and overseeing the execution of application software.

Other types of software mentioned, such as a web browser, spreadsheet application, and word processing software, are categorized as application software. They are designed to perform specific tasks for users, such as browsing the internet, performing calculations, or creating text documents. While these applications rely on system software, they do not perform the fundamental functions that define system software itself.