What is an array in programming?

An array in programming is defined as a collection of elements that are identified by an index or key. This means that each element in the array can be accessed using a specific numerical index, which typically starts from zero in many programming languages. Arrays allow for the storage of multiple items of the same type in a single variable, thereby organizing data efficiently and enabling quick access to individual elements based on their position. This characteristic makes arrays extremely useful in various applications where managing and manipulating collections of data is necessary, such as sorting, searching, and iterating through values.

The other choices represent concepts that either do not fully capture what an array is or pertain to different aspects of programming. An array is not limited to storing only strings; it can hold various data types, depending on the programming language used. Describing an individual data point in a dataset does not encompass the collective nature of arrays. Lastly, a command for outputting data refers to functions or methods used to display data, rather than the structure which holds multiple pieces of data.