How is a data structure defined?

A data structure is fundamentally a specialized format for organizing and storing data within a computer program. This organization allows developers to manage and manipulate data effectively and efficiently. Different data structures, such as arrays, linked lists, trees, and hash tables, are designed to suit various types of data operations and access patterns. For instance, an array allows for fast indexed access to elements, while a linked list facilitates efficient insertion and deletion operations.

Understanding data structures is essential for optimizing algorithms and ensuring that programs run efficiently, as the choice of data structure can significantly impact the performance of a program in terms of speed and memory usage. The correct answer highlights this core function of data structures, distinguishing it from other options, which pertain to different aspects of programming rather than the specific organization and storage of data itself.