What is a real-time operating system (RTOS) primarily designed for?

A real-time operating system (RTOS) is specifically designed to manage hardware resources and run applications that require immediate processing of data with minimal latency. This means it is tailored for environments where timely and deterministic responses are critical, such as in embedded systems, industrial automation, robotics, and telecommunications. The primary function of an RTOS is to ensure that the system can meet deadlines and respond to external events within strict time constraints.

In contrast, general application use may not have the same stringent timing requirements, and gaming applications, while they may require speed, often utilize standard operating systems that can handle the necessary processing and graphics. File storage management typically focuses on data organization and retrieval rather than the real-time capabilities needed for immediate response to inputs or events. Hence, the main focus of an RTOS is its ability to process data effectively and reliably without buffer delays, making it the correct answer in this context.