Final answer:
The term being described is the 'operating system,' which is the vital layer of software that acts as an intermediary between hardware and applications, managing resources and providing services for software to function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The operating system is a layer of software between the applications and the computer hardware that supports applications and utilities. It is an essential component of the computer system because it manages all the hardware and software on the computer. The operating system serves as a bridge, facilitating communication between software applications and physical devices such as hard drives, printers, and monitors.
Examples of operating systems include Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Each operating system has its own set of rules for allowing applications to utilize hardware resources and providing common services for computer programs. This layer is critical because without an operating system, applications would not be able to function as they would lack the essential services required to execute. Overall, the operating system plays a crucial role in ensuring that applications can run smoothly on a computer and make efficient use of its hardware resources.