What do computers run that process data and perform tasks based on instructions provided?

The correct choice is based on the understanding that computers operate using programs, which are sets of instructions designed to tell the computer how to process data and carry out specific tasks. Programs convert human commands into machine language that the computer can understand and execute. They are essential for any operation on a computer, ranging from the simplest tasks to complex computational operations.

Applications are indeed types of programs that are specifically designed to perform a particular function for the user, such as word processing or spreadsheet functions. However, the term 'program' encompasses all types of software, including applications and system software, making it the more comprehensive and accurate answer in this context.

Files, while they may contain data processed by programs, are not processes themselves; they are collections of information stored on a computer. Scripts, on the other hand, are more specific types of programs, often referring to written code that automates tasks, but they do not encompass all the functionalities that programs provide. Thus, 'programs' serves as the most accurate term for what computers run to process data and execute tasks based on provided instructions.