What is a string method in programming?

A string method refers to functions that belong to string objects and are designed to perform operations on strings in programming. These operations can include manipulating the string, such as changing its case, finding substrings, replacing parts of the string, or splitting the string into an array based on specified delimiters. Since these methods are defined as part of string objects, they make it easy to execute complex string operations directly on string variables.

In programming languages like Python, for example, string methods are built-in and can be called on any string instance, allowing for straightforward manipulation without needing to write the underlying logic from scratch. This encapsulation of functionality within the string object is a key aspect of object-oriented programming, where methods operate on the data they belong to.

Other options do not accurately define a string method. One mentions a template for creating objects, which relates to class definitions rather than string manipulation. Another implies defining variables in string format, which does not pertain to methods at all. Finally, referencing an external library pertains to additional functionalities beyond the built-in capabilities of string objects, rather than defining what a string method is.