What is the primary purpose of the Linux kernel?

The primary purpose of the Linux kernel is to manage system resources and facilitate communication between the hardware and the software. The kernel is the core component of the operating system, acting as an intermediary that handles requests from applications and offers them access to hardware resources like the CPU, memory, and input/output devices. By doing so, it ensures that multiple processes can run simultaneously without interfering with each other, maintaining stability and efficiency in the system's operation.

This functionality is crucial because without the kernel, higher-level software applications would have no direct way to interact with the hardware components of the computer. Instead of providing a graphical user interface or tools for software package management or system backups, the kernel focuses on essential tasks such as process management, memory management, device management, and system calls. This foundational role enables everything else within the Linux environment to operate effectively.