What is the primary purpose of the Common Language Runtime $($CLR$)$ in the $.$NET framework?

What is the primary purpose of the Common Language Runtime $($CLR$)$ in the $.$NET framework?

To provide a platform for building and running Windows$-$only applications.

To act as an interface for directly manipulating hardware components on a computer.

To serve as a runtime environment that manages execution of $.$NET programs, providing services like memory management, security, and exception handling.

To compile $.$NET applications directly into machine code.