What is an ifstream in C++?

An ifstream, or input file stream, is indeed a class used in C++ specifically designed to read data from files. When you create an object of the ifstream class, you typically specify the name of the file you want to read from, which allows you to access the contents of that file within your program.

This class provides various functions that enable you to read formatted data, such as integers, floating-point numbers, and strings, from the file stream into your variables. By utilizing ifstream, programmers can perform file input operations in a streamlined and efficient manner, allowing for the reading of data stored in text files, which is an important aspect of file handling in C++.

The other options describe different functions and features in C++ that do not accurately represent the purpose of ifstream. The class used for writing data to files refers to ofstream, which serves a different purpose. A method for handling user input does not encompass file operations, as it is typically associated with standard input through streams like cin. Lastly, the option referring to a data type for binary files misrepresents the use of ifstream, as while it can handle binary files through its base class, it is primarily aimed at reading text data. Thus, option B