What is the primary purpose of indentation in programming?

The primary purpose of indentation in programming is to improve readability. Proper indentation helps developers and anyone reading the code to easily understand the structure and flow of the program. It visually distinguishes different blocks of code, such as loops, conditionals, and function definitions, making it clear which statements belong to which sections. This clarity is particularly important in languages where indentation defines scope, such as Python, where incorrect indentation can lead to syntax errors or unintended behavior.

While other aspects like file size, execution speed, and separating data types might play a role in programming, they are not the main function of indentation. Indentation does not affect the logical execution or the processing performance of the code directly; instead, it enhances the developer's ability to read and maintain the code effectively.