In object-oriented programming, what action can a method perform?

In object-oriented programming, a method can perform various actions that contribute to the functionality of a class or object. One primary action is to modify the internal state of an object, which includes changing the values of its properties. Additionally, a method can return a value, which allows it to provide feedback or results based on processing logic. This dual capability of modifying internal variables and returning a value adds flexibility and enhances the method’s usefulness within the context of an object’s behavior.

Methods often interact with an object’s state, encapsulating specific operations that relate to the object’s behavior. For example, in a class representing a bank account, a method may update the account balance (modification) and also return the new balance to the calling code (returning a value).

The other options typically limit the method's capabilities. Some suggest that a method might only modify external variables or focus solely on returning values, which restricts the full scope of actions that methods can carry out within objects. In essence, the ability to both modify and return value is fundamental in object-oriented programming, making the chosen answer robust and accurate.