What is the purpose of the BIOS in a computer?

The purpose of the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) in a computer is primarily to initialize and test hardware components during the startup process. When a computer is powered on, the BIOS firmware is the first piece of software that runs. It performs a series of checks, known as the Power-On Self Test (POST), to ensure that essential hardware components such as the CPU, RAM, and storage devices are functioning correctly.

Following these checks, the BIOS identifies and prepares the system's hardware to load the operating system. This process includes locating the bootable device—whether it be a hard drive, SSD, or optical drive—and handing over control to the operating system. BIOS is critical for ensuring that the system hardware is configured and ready to operate before higher-level functions are executed by the operating system.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the primary functions of the BIOS. For instance, file storage management typically falls under the operating system's responsibilities rather than the BIOS. Similarly, while security features can be a part of a computer's overall architecture, the BIOS itself is not primarily designed for providing security against viruses or enhancing graphic processing; those functions are managed by different system components.