Arizona State University (ASU) CSE240 Introduction to Programming Languages Midterm Practice Exam

Functions in programming primarily serve to allow code reusability and modularity. When functions are defined, they encapsulate a specific task or behavior, which can be called upon whenever needed throughout a program. This means that rather than rewriting code, a programmer can call the same function multiple times, promoting efficiency and reducing redundancy in the codebase.

Modularity is another critical aspect facilitated by functions. By breaking down a program into smaller, manageable functions, it improves the organization of code, making it easier to read, maintain, and debug. Each function can be developed and tested independently, fostering a clearer structure that enhances collaboration among multiple developers on a project.

The other options, while related to programming concepts, do not capture the primary purpose of functions. Memory allocation can occur outside of functions, execution speed can be influenced by many factors beyond function use, and syntax error detection is primarily the role of compilers or interpreters, not functions themselves. Thus, the answer highlighting code reusability and modularity accurately represents the fundamental purpose of functions in programming.