A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

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What does a subroutine do in programming?

Organizes data into lists
Breaks down a problem into manageable tasks
Stores all variables
Stops the execution of the program

The correct answer is: Breaks down a problem into manageable tasks

A subroutine in programming serves as a mechanism for breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable tasks. This approach enhances code readability, maintainability, and reusability. By segmenting functionality into subroutines, developers can focus on one smaller piece of the overall problem at a time, testing and debugging in isolation before integrating it back into the full program. Using subroutines also allows for the same piece of code to be reused in different parts of a program without the need to duplicate the code, promoting efficiency and reducing the potential for errors. It essentially encapsulates a specific functionality, allowing for cleaner and more structured programming. The other options do not accurately describe the primary role of a subroutine. Organizing data into lists refers more to data structures rather than subroutines. Storing all variables relates to variable scope and memory management, which is also not the function of a subroutine. Stopping execution could be a result of various factors but is not a defining characteristic of subroutines.