Which statement best describes a stack data structure?

A stack is a specialized data structure that operates under the Last In First Out (LIFO) principle. This means that the most recently added element is the first one to be removed. This behavior can be likened to a stack of plates: when you add a plate, it goes on top, and when you need a plate, you take the top one off first.

In a stack, various operations such as push (adding an element) and pop (removing the top element) are performed in a way that maintains this LIFO order. Stacks are widely used in programming for various tasks, including function call management, expression evaluation, and backtracking algorithms because the LIFO behavior is often essential for these operations.

Understanding this principle of LIFO is crucial for recognizing how stacks function compared to other data structures like queues, which operate based on the First In First Out principle. Thus, the statement that describes a stack accurately is the one that conveys this LIFO characteristic.