What does an 'if-else' statement accomplish in programming?

An 'if-else' statement is a fundamental control structure in programming that enables decisions to be made based on conditions. When the program encounters an 'if-else' statement, it evaluates the condition specified. If the condition evaluates to true, the block of code within the 'if' is executed. If it is false, the code within the 'else' block runs, if present. This mechanism allows for conditional execution of different code segments, making it possible to steer the program's flow based on dynamic input or predefined criteria.

For example, consider an application that checks a user's age to determine if they are eligible for a service. The 'if-else' statement is crucial here, as it can execute specific code depending on whether the user's age meets the required criteria or not. Thus, it enhances the program's interactivity and responsiveness to various situations.

In contrast to other choices, declaring a new variable, creating a loop structure, and defining a function serve different purposes unrelated to executing code conditionally. While variables store data, loops repeat code, and functions encapsulate reusable code blocks, the primary function of an 'if-else' statement is strictly tied to making decisions based on conditions.