Which of the following best defines a function call?

A function call refers to the action of invoking or executing a specific set of instructions that have been grouped together under a function name. When you call a function, you are essentially telling the program to perform these predefined operations, which may include computations, data manipulations, or any task that the function is designed to accomplish.

In this context, the correct choice signifies the process of executing those statements encapsulated within the function, allowing for organized and reusable code. This is central to programming as it improves readability, reduces redundancy, and enhances code maintainability. When a function is called, control of the program transfers to that function, and it will run its statements until it completes or returns.

The other options do not accurately describe a function call. Creating a new variable pertains to the declaration or assignment of data storage, assigning a value to a variable specifically refers to the process of giving a variable a value, and executing a loop involves repeatedly running a block of code until a certain condition is met. None of these actions involve invoking a sequence of instructions by a function name, making the second choice the most appropriate definition of a function call.