What advantage does using constants provide in programming?

Using constants in programming provides significant advantages in terms of readability and maintenance. When constants are defined with descriptive names, they make the code more understandable. Instead of seeing arbitrary numeric values or strings that may not convey their purpose, developers can see meaningful names that indicate what those values represent.

For example, instead of writing if (score > 100) in a program, using a constant like const int MAX_SCORE = 100; allows the code to be more self-explanatory with if (score > MAX_SCORE). This approach not only enhances clarity but also reduces the potential for errors. When a constant needs to be changed, updating its value in one place automatically reflects the change throughout the entire codebase, making the maintenance process much simpler and less prone to mistakes.

Although there might be other uses for constants, such as some perceived efficiency in calculations or their role in certain arithmetic operations, these are secondary to the primary function they serve in improving code readability and maintainability. This makes them a preferred choice for defining values that remain unchanged throughout a program's execution.