IMPERATIVE PROGRAMMING Meaning and
Definition
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Imperative programming is a type of programming paradigm that focuses on explicitly specifying a sequence of commands or instructions that a computer must follow to solve a problem or perform a task. It is called "imperative" because it emphasizes the importance of describing the steps or imperatives to achieve a desired result.
In imperative programming, programmers define variables to hold data and manipulate them by assigning values, modifying them, or performing various operations on them using statements and expressions. The program flow is controlled using control structures such as loops, conditionals, and subroutines to execute different commands based on certain conditions or repetitive actions.
The main characteristic of imperative programming is that the instructions are executed in a specific order, typically from top to bottom, and the state of the program changes through the modification of variables and data structures. The focus is on how to achieve a result by specifying the exact steps to be followed rather than focusing on the underlying algorithm or mathematical concepts.
Imperative programming is widely used in many programming languages like C, Java, and Python, as it provides a direct and intuitive way of describing computations and algorithms. It allows programmers to have fine-grained control over the program's execution and is often used in scenarios where efficiency or low-level access to hardware is required, as well as in situations where the steps need to be explicitly defined and controlled.
Etymology of IMPERATIVE PROGRAMMING
The word "imperative" in "imperative programming" comes from the Latin word "imperare", which means "to command" or "to order". In the context of programming, it refers to a programming paradigm where a series of instructions are provided in a specific order, sequentially executed, and the state of the program is modified explicitly through these instructions.
