Final answer:
Native applications are Operating system-specific applications designed to run on a singular OS, such as Windows or macOS, and are optimized for performance and user experience on that system.
Options like platform-independent or web-based applications are meant to work across multiple OSes, while cross-functional ones serve various operational functions within an organization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Native applications are programs that are specifically written to run on a particular operating system, utilizing the software and hardware features that the OS provides. In the context of the given options, the correct answer is C. Operating system-specific applications.
This means that native applications are designed to work on a single platform, whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or any other operating system. Consequently, they tend to have better performance and a user experience that is optimized for that OS.
Two examples of native applications would be Microsoft Word for Windows or iMovie for macOS. Both of these are developed with the specific features and capabilities of their respective operating systems in mind.
On the contrary, platform-independent applications or web-based applications are designed to run across multiple operating systems, usually within a web browser, and cross-functional applications might refer to software designed to serve multiple operational functions within an organization.