What do we call a collection of related data elements in programming?

A collection of related data elements in programming is referred to as a data structure. This term encompasses various ways in which data can be organized, managed, and stored to effectively perform operations on it. Data structures facilitate the organization of data to optimize aspects such as access and modification. Common examples of data structures include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees, which allow developers to handle data efficiently depending on their specific needs.

In contrast, a variable is typically a single storage location that holds a value, while a method is a function that belongs to an object in object-oriented programming that performs a specific task. A function is a block of code designed to perform a particular operation, often returning a value, but it does not imply any relational organization of multiple data elements. Therefore, data structure is the most appropriate term for a collection of related data elements.