What are widgets used for in Databricks notebooks?

Widgets in Databricks notebooks serve the purpose of providing interactive inputs and parameters for notebook execution, which allows users to customize their workflows and analyses dynamically. This capability enables users to create more flexible and user-friendly notebooks by incorporating inputs such as text boxes, dropdowns, sliders, and multi-select options. As a result, users can adjust parameters without modifying the underlying code, facilitating easier data exploration and iterative testing.

The utility of widgets enhances collaboration, as different users can run the same notebook with varying inputs tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, this interactivity fosters better engagement with the data, as users can visualize the impact of their parameter adjustments in real time.

The other options do not align with the primary function of widgets. Enhancing data security measures focuses on protecting data access and integrity, while scheduling tasks is related to automating workflows. Monitoring system performance is concerned with overseeing the health and efficiency of the Databricks environment. None of these functions encompass the interactive nature of widgets in notebook usage.