What enables a computer to run software applications efficiently?

The operating system is fundamental to a computer's ability to run software applications efficiently because it acts as an intermediary between the hardware and the software. It manages system resources, including the CPU, memory, storage, and input/output devices, ensuring that applications can access these resources without conflicts.

The operating system also provides essential services such as process management, which organizes and schedules the execution of applications, and memory management, which allocates space for different applications and ensures they operate smoothly without interfering with one another. Additionally, it provides a user interface that allows users to interact with applications, further enhancing usability and efficiency.

The other options, while important in their own contexts, do not directly contribute to the capability of running software applications. Database management, for example, pertains to the handling of databases and is critical for applications that rely on data storage and retrieval, but it does not facilitate the overall execution of software applications themselves. Networking capability relates to how computers communicate over networks, which is essential for online applications but not for the core functionality required to run applications locally. Security software is vital for protecting a system from threats, but it does not influence the fundamental operation of software applications in terms of performance or efficiency.