Final answer:
The software component of a computer system is the operating system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The software component of a computer system is the operating system. The operating system is responsible for managing hardware and software resources, controlling computer operations, and providing a user interface. Examples of operating systems include Windows, macOS, and Linux. Among the options given, a software component of a computer system is A) The operating system. Software components consist of the programs and the operating system itself that enable the hardware to function and perform tasks. The operating system acts as an intermediary between the user and the hardware, managing resources like the CPU, memory, and storage devices. Option B) The storage unit is a hardware component where data is stored. Option C) The display monitor is a hardware output device that shows visual output, and D) The optical scanner is a hardware input device that scans documents into digital data. Regarding device 9, historically, the development of the microprocessor made it possible for digital computers to efficiently process large amounts of information, enabling them to become more powerful and compact over time.