Which of the following defines secure coding practices?

Secure coding practices refer to techniques and methodologies specifically aimed at reducing security vulnerabilities in software applications. This involves following a set of principles and practices during the software development lifecycle to ensure that the code is less susceptible to attack and exploits.

By focusing on security from the initial stages of software development, such as input validation, authentication, and proper error handling, developers can proactively address potential security flaws. The goal is to create software that is robust against various threats, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and buffer overflows, among others.

While the other choices highlight important aspects of software development—like documentation standards, software testing, and database management—they do not directly encompass the core purpose and intent of secure coding practices. These practices are specifically concentrated on enhancing security within code, while the other options address general development and operational aspects.