What does it mean for a program to be portable?

A program being portable refers to its ability to run on different machine architectures and operating systems without requiring significant changes to the code. This means that the program can be executed on various hardware platforms, such as desktops, laptops, or servers, and across different operating systems, like Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Portability is an important aspect in software development because it allows developers to reach a wider audience and ensures that users on different systems can run the same application without needing separate versions specifically designed for each platform. This adaptability is particularly beneficial in diverse environments, fostering better accessibility and user flexibility.

The other options touch on different qualities:

• The capability to be easily modified pertains to the flexibility or maintainability of the code, rather than its portability.
• User-friendliness relates to how easily a user can navigate and operate the software, which is not directly linked to how it performs across different systems.
• Compatibility with all devices suggests a level of universality that goes beyond the scope of portability, as it might imply functionality on varying device types, not just different operating environments.

Thus, the essence of portability is to ensure the program can be deployed and used across various computing environments seamlessly.