What is the function of a version control system?

A version control system serves the critical function of managing changes to source code over time. This involves tracking modifications, allowing multiple developers to work concurrently without conflicts, and maintaining a history of changes. By providing features such as branching and merging, a version control system enables developers to experiment with new ideas without affecting the main codebase. If issues arise, it is straightforward to revert to a previous version, ensuring that the integrity of the code is maintained and allowing for collaboration and development efficiency.

The other choices do not align with the primary purpose of a version control system, as it actively supports dynamic changes and collaboration rather than keeping code static or preventing teamwork. Additionally, it does not directly simplify code writing for beginners, although it may indirectly assist by allowing easier recovery from mistakes.