What is the purpose of the CSS flexbox layout?

The CSS flexbox layout is designed specifically to enable responsive and flexible layouts. It provides a powerful set of tools that allow developers to manage the alignment, direction, and distribution of space among items within a container. This flexibility is particularly useful for creating dynamic layouts that can adapt to different screen sizes and orientations, which is essential in modern web design.

With flexbox, elements can grow, shrink, or maintain their size based on the available space, making it easier to create layouts that adjust seamlessly depending on the user's device. For instance, you can easily arrange items in a row or a column, control how they are spaced, and even make certain items take precedence over others when the layout is resized. This capability is crucial for responsive web design, where the goal is to provide an optimal viewing experience on various devices such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

The other options do not encompass the primary function of flexbox. While fixed layouts are more rigid and do not respond well to different screen sizes, styling lists or adding animations are not inherent functionalities of flexbox. Instead, flexbox focuses on the arrangement and responsiveness of layout structures.