Which of the following paradigms is primarily concerned with data and its manipulation?

The approach primarily focused on data and its manipulation is found in the paradigm that emphasizes the use of variables, state changes, and control structures to manage and modify data. In this context, the imperative paradigm stands out because it involves writing sequences of commands for the computer to perform, which directly alters the program's state.

This paradigm allows for a step-by-step execution of instructions that manipulate data. The code often consists of statements that change the program's state through assignments and control flows such as loops and conditionals. It reflects how the computer's memory is modified, showing a clear relationship between the data and the operations performed on it.

While the object-oriented paradigm also deals with data, focusing on the encapsulation of data within objects and the methods that act on that data, its emphasis is on structuring programs around data and behavior rather than purely on data manipulation itself. Therefore, the imperative paradigm is more central to the direct manipulation of data.