In OOP, what is the purpose of methods?

In object-oriented programming (OOP), methods serve the crucial purpose of manipulating data associated with an object. They are functions that are defined within a class and are designed to perform operations or behaviors related to the data (attributes) of that class. This interaction allows for encapsulation, one of the fundamental principles of OOP, where the methods facilitate controlled access and modification of the internal state of an object.

Methods can perform a variety of tasks, such as calculating values, updating attributes, or providing outputs based on the object's data. By encapsulating these behaviors within methods, OOP allows for a modular and organized approach to programming, making code easier to maintain and understand. Methods enhance the functionality of objects by allowing them to act on their internal data, reflecting the dynamic nature of the interactions within a software application.

While other options mention aspects associated with data or content, they do not correctly capture the primary role of methods in OOP, which is focused on manipulation and operational behavior rather than merely holding, storing, or displaying data.