What role do methods play in object-oriented programming?

In object-oriented programming (OOP), methods are essential components that define the behaviors or operations that can be performed on objects. An object is an instance of a class, and the methods associated with that class specify what actions the object can take or what operations can be performed on it. These methods can be thought of as functions that are tied to the object's data, allowing for encapsulation and modularity in the code.

For example, if you have a class representing a "Car," methods might include startEngine(), accelerate(), and brake(). Each of these methods allows the car object to perform specific behaviors consistent with its definition. This encapsulation of behavior within objects is a fundamental principle of OOP, enabling code reuse and better organization.

The other options highlight different aspects of programming but do not accurately describe the specific role of methods:

• Variable declaration is handled through properties or attributes of a class, not methods.

• While methods do interact with data types, they do not encapsulate them; rather, they may operate on or manipulate the encapsulated data.

• Memory allocation is typically managed by the underlying system or language runtime and does not involve methods directly.