What defines a method in programming?

In programming, a method is specifically defined as a function that is associated with an object. Methods typically operate on the data contained within the object, allowing them to manipulate the object's properties and behavior. This encapsulation is a key concept in object-oriented programming, where methods enable interaction with the object's data through well-defined interfaces.

For example, in a class representing a car object, methods could include operations like drive() or stop(), which define actions that can be performed by the car object. This relationship between methods and objects is what distinguishes them from general functions, which may not necessarily be tied to specific data structures or instances.

The other choices do not capture the essence of what a method is in the context of programming. A block of code can refer to any segment of executable instructions but does not provide the same context of association with an object. A variable represents a storage location for data values, while a piece of data simply refers to any single value or information.