Which function is performed by the Direct Selection Tool?

The Direct Selection Tool in Adobe Illustrator is specifically designed for manipulating individual anchor points and segments of a path. This tool allows users to select and adjust specific points on a vector object, giving detailed control over the shape and curvature. It's particularly useful for editing shapes by moving anchor points or adjusting direction handles to refine a design without altering the entire object.

Manipulating anchor points lets designers create more complex designs and achieve precise shapes and curves, which is essential in vector graphic design. This function is distinct from other tasks like editing text, creating new paths, or zooming in, which are handled by different tools and functions within the software.