What distinguishes static typing from dynamic typing?

Static typing is characterized by the fact that type information is checked at compile-time rather than at runtime. This means that when you declare a variable, you must specify its type, and the compiler verifies whether the values assigned to that variable are of the correct type before the program is executed. This early detection of type errors can lead to more robust and error-free code, as many type mismatches can be caught during compilation.

In contrast, dynamic typing allows types to be interpreted at runtime, meaning that variables can be assigned to different types of values throughout the execution of the program. This flexibility can lead to more rapidly written and flexible code but may introduce type-related errors that only become apparent when the specific piece of code is executed.

The other options do not accurately capture the core distinction between static and dynamic typing. While variable type changes are more central to dynamic typing, the flexibility of coding depends on the programming paradigm, and static typing can be well-suited for both small and large programs depending on the language and context. Thus, the essence of static typing lies in its compile-time type checking versus runtime checking in dynamic typing.