What is the function of a breakpoint in programming?

A breakpoint serves as a designated point in a program where execution is intentionally paused, allowing the programmer to inspect the current state of the program. This is particularly useful for debugging, as it enables the examination of variables and the flow of execution up to that breakpoint. By halting the program at a specific location, developers can carefully analyze the execution context, identify issues, and test hypotheses about the program's behavior.

While halting a program at a specific place is a critical function of breakpoints, their use also directly supports the debugging process by allowing developers to focus on particular lines of code where they suspect errors may be occurring, thus making debugging more effective.