MCQ Detailed View

The Application Layer is the seventh and topmost layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. It plays a very important role in networking because it is the closest layer to the end-user. The Application Layer provides an interface between the user and the network, making it possible for people to use computer networks through applications like web browsers, email clients, and file-sharing programs.

• User Interface: It connects software applications (like Chrome, Outlook, Skype) to the underlying network.


• Network Services: It provides services like email (SMTP), file transfer (FTP), and web browsing (HTTP).


• Data Exchange: It helps in sending and receiving data in a format that both sender and receiver applications can understand.


• End-to-End Communication: Though lower layers handle data transport, the Application Layer ensures that communication starts and ends correctly through application-level protocols.

Correct Answer: User and the network

The Application Layer acts as a bridge between the users software and the network, which makes it the correct choice for this question.