How does the apply function in Kotlin help in configuring an object?

The apply function in Kotlin is specifically designed to facilitate the configuration of an object by executing a block of code on the object and returning the object itself. When you use apply, you can invoke properties and methods of the object within the block without needing to reference the object explicitly each time. This is achieved by leveraging the Kotlin this context within the lambda expression.

For example, when you create an instance of a class and use the apply function, you can set various properties of that instance in a concise and readable manner. This is particularly helpful in scenarios such as UI development, where you might want to configure multiple attributes of a view or an object in a neat, scoped manner. The compactness of this approach improves code clarity and maintainability.

In contrast to the other options, the apply function does not directly create new instances or discourage object configuration; instead, it streamlines the configuration process.