What role does a flowchart serve in programming?

A flowchart serves as a visual representation of the sequence of steps in a process, which is essential in programming for several reasons. It allows programmers to map out their algorithms in a clear and organized manner, visually depicting how data and control flow through a program. This helps in identifying the structure and logic of the program before any coding takes place, facilitating clearer understanding and communication of ideas among team members.

Visual representations such as flowcharts can highlight decision points, loops, and operations, making it easier to analyze and debug the algorithm. Given this function, flowcharts are integral to the planning and designing stages of programming, ensuring that developers can visualize the logic behind their code and make adjustments as needed before implementation.

In contrast, other options do not accurately describe the purpose of a flowchart. Compressing data pertains to data storage techniques, creating user interfaces refers to design aspects of software development, and compiling code involves transforming code into a format that a computer can execute, none of which relate to the core purpose of flowcharts in showing the flow of a process.