What is a program in computing?

A program in computing fundamentally refers to a series of instructions that a computer system executes to accomplish some action. This definition encapsulates the essence of what programming involves: creating a sequence of commands that the computer interprets and executes to perform specific tasks. When a program runs, it manipulates data and controls the hardware to achieve desired outcomes, whether that's showcasing an interface, processing information, or executing algorithms.

In contrast, the other options present narrower or less comprehensive views of what a program is. Describing it as a specific task downplays the complexity of programming, since a program can encompass multiple tasks and operations, often executed in order. Referring to a tool that helps write Kotlin code limits the definition to a development environment rather than the program itself. Finally, while a defined set of instructions that tells the computer to print something is indeed a program, it does not capture the broader concept of a program as a series of instructions capable of handling more complex logic and multiple functionalities. Thus, identifying a program specifically as a comprehensive series of instructions highlights its fundamental role in computing.