Which statement best describes functions and procedures?

Functions and procedures are essential elements in programming that are designed to carry out specific tasks. They can be "called" at various points during the execution of a program, allowing developers to reuse code efficiently and keep the program organized. A key feature of functions is that they can return values after executing their designated code, which is quintessential for creating dynamic and interactive applications.

This capability allows for modular programming, where complex tasks can be broken down into smaller, manageable units, each handling a distinct aspect of the overall functionality. The ability to return values further enhances their utility, enabling the output of a function to be used in subsequent calculations or operations within the program. Understanding this concept is crucial for writing effective and optimized code, as well as for debugging and maintaining the software efficiently.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately encapsulate the primary characteristics and uses of functions and procedures. For instance, they are not merely special types of variables, nor are they the main components of a programming language in a broad sense; they serve as a structured way to organize code rather than being foundational building blocks. Additionally, functions and procedures do not need to be defined at the end of a program; they can be defined at any point, as long as they are declared