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The step that defines the exact representation of the program to users is the creation of external specifications. External specifications outline how the software will appear and behave from the user's perspective, detailing user interfaces, inputs, outputs, and user interaction. This ensures that users have a clear understanding of what the software will deliver, how it will function, and how they will interact with it.

In contrast, system design focuses on the overall architecture of the system, including how different components will interact, but it doesn't specifically address user-facing features in a manner that is directly interpretive for end-users. Requirements gathering is aimed at understanding what users need from the software but does not provide a representation of how those needs will be translated into actual software features. Program structure design is concerned with the internal organization of the program rather than what users see or experience when they use the software. Thus, external specifications uniquely fulfill the role of conveying the software's representation to users.