Define a variable in programming.

A variable in programming is fundamentally a storage location that is assigned a specific name and can hold data which is subject to change as the program runs. This allows programmers to store information that may need to be modified during execution, such as user inputs, computed values, or temporary data needed for processing. The name of the variable acts as a reference to that storage location, enabling the programmer to easily access and manipulate the value contained within.

For example, in a program that calculates the total price of items in a shopping cart, a variable could be defined to store the number of items purchased. As items are added or removed from the cart, the value of this variable can be updated, reflecting the current state of the cart throughout the program. This dynamic nature is what distinguishes variables from constants, which hold a fixed value that does not change during execution.

The other options refer to different programming concepts. A function is a block of code meant to perform a specific task when called. A method refers to functions that are associated with objects. These do not describe what a variable is. Algorithms are systematic ways to solve problems or perform tasks, such as sorting data, but again, they do not define the concept of a variable.