Final answer:
In programming, string literals are read-only while arrays of characters are mutable and can be changed.
Step-by-step explanation:
When working with strings in programming, there are typically two types: string literals and arrays of characters. String literals, which are often defined by enclosing text within quotes, are read-only. This means that once a string literal is set, its contents cannot be altered. On the other hand, an array of characters is mutable, meaning that you can change individual characters within the array.