Which of the following is a characteristic of a constant in programming?

A constant in programming is defined as a value that cannot be altered once it has been assigned. Therefore, it remains the same throughout the execution of the program. This characteristic is fundamental to constants as they provide a way to use fixed values that should not change over time, helping to prevent accidental modifications and enhancing code readability.

Constants are used for values that represent fixed data, such as the number of days in a week or a specific configuration value. By ensuring that these values cannot be modified, programmers can create more predictable and reliable code.

While constants can represent various data types, including numeric, string, or boolean values, there is no requirement for them to be exclusively numeric. Constants may also not change during runtime, distinguishing them from variables, which can change.

In summary, the defining feature of a constant is that it remains unchanged throughout the program’s execution, which is significant for maintaining consistency and improving code management.