What do you call a sequence of instructions that controls a computer program's behavior?

The correct answer is algorithm. An algorithm is a precise sequence of instructions or a well-defined procedure that provides a solution to a problem or task. In programming, algorithms dictate how data is manipulated and processed, effectively controlling the behavior of a computer program. For instance, sorting algorithms determine the order of elements in a list, while pathfinding algorithms outline routes in navigation systems.

Other terms, such as function, data structure, and framework, refer to different concepts within computer science. A function is a block of code that performs a specific task and may return a value; it doesn't inherently describe the overall behavior of a program. A data structure organizes and stores data efficiently but does not describe the steps taken to manipulate that data. A framework provides a foundational structure to build applications, offering pre-defined tools and protocols to streamline development, rather than specifying a sequence of instructions.