Answer: Both (i) and (ii) are correct — complete definition is (i) + (ii)

• If strictly single-choice, the most accepted textbook answer is (i) Collection of programs that manages hardware resources.
• Standard definition: OS is system software that acts as intermediary between hardware and applications — it manages hardware resources and provides services to application programs. The question truncates option (ii), but both views are part of the full definition. In many PYQs this is marked as (i). If exam allows multiple correct, choose (i) and (ii).**