What does a class represent in programming?

A class in programming serves as a blueprint for creating objects. It defines the properties and behaviors that the objects instantiated from the class will have. By encapsulating both data (attributes) and functions (methods) within a single structure, classes enable the organization of code in a way that promotes reuse and modular design. When a class is created, it can be used to instantiate multiple objects, each of which can hold its own unique data while sharing the same methods defined in the class. This concept is fundamental to object-oriented programming, where classes help model real-world entities or systems in a structured way.

The other options do not fully capture the purpose of a class. While a class indeed represents reusable code and encompasses a specific data type, its primary function is as a user-defined prototype for creating objects. Additionally, execution control structures pertain to how the program's flow is managed (like loops and conditionals) rather than defining data structures like classes do.