What is the primary purpose of hardware controls in computing?

The primary purpose of hardware controls in computing is to detect failures through built-in mechanisms. This involves implementing features and systems within the hardware that can monitor its own performance and identify any issues that may arise during operation. These mechanisms can include self-tests, error detection codes, and alerts that signal when hardware malfunctions occur. By having strong hardware controls, a system can quickly identify problems, which is vital for maintaining system reliability and performance.

While other options like assisting with data entry, ensuring the integrity of computation results, and structuring data organization methods are important functions in computing, they do not specifically capture the essential role of hardware controls, which are fundamentally about monitoring and maintaining the health of the hardware itself.