What role does the Application layer play in the OSI model?

The Application layer in the OSI model serves as the interface between network services and the applications that utilize those services. It is designed to support end-user applications by providing the necessary protocols and frameworks for these applications to communicate over the network. This includes facilitating services such as file transfers, email exchanges, and web browsing, which are essential functionalities for software applications like browsers and email clients.

The role of the Application layer is vital because it ensures that user requests and responses are correctly formatted and understood by both the client and server applications. It deals with high-level functions such as user authentication, file transfers, and message formatting, which are directly related to how users interact with the software over a network.