Which statement best describes the role of properties in Pega applications?

Properties in Pega applications play a fundamental role by encapsulating both data and behavior, which aligns with the principles of object-oriented programming. Properties not only store data relevant to the application's context, but they also represent the attributes of various objects or entities within the application. This means that they can influence additional behaviors such as validations, calculations, and decisions based on the data they hold.

Encapsulating behavior along with data allows for a more dynamic interaction within the application. For instance, when a property changes, its associated business logic or rules can trigger to react accordingly. This interactive capability is integral to creating robust and adaptable applications, as properties can directly affect the flow of processes and user experiences based on their values.

In contrast, the options that focus solely on data storage, user interface layouts, or static values limit the comprehensive role that properties serve in Pega applications, overlooking their broader function in encapsulating the logic and behaviors that drive application usability and workflows.