What does the prompt string in the input() function do?

The prompt string in the input() function serves to provide a message before the user input. When you use the input() function in Python, you can include a string as an argument, which will be displayed to the user. This prompt informs the user about what kind of information is expected or guides them on how to respond. For example, if you provide the prompt string "Enter your name: ", the user will see that message and know they should input their name.

This enhances user interaction with the program by making it clear what type of input is needed, thereby improving the overall usability and approachability of the script.