What are the main differences between programming paradigms?

What are the main differences between programming paradigms?

Programming paradigms are different styles or approaches to programming. The main ones include procedural, object-oriented, functional, and declarative programming. Each has its own principles and use cases.

Can you explain procedural programming?

Sure! Procedural programming is based on the concept of procedure calls, where programs are structured as a sequence of instructions or procedures. It emphasizes a linear flow of control and is often used in languages like C and Pascal.

What about object-oriented programming?

Object-oriented programming (OOP) focuses on objects that combine data and behavior. It promotes concepts like inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism, making it easier to manage complex software. Languages like Java and Python are commonly used for OOP.

How does functional programming differ from these?

Functional programming treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions and avoids changing state or mutable data. It emphasizes immutability and first-class functions, with languages like Haskell and Scala being popular examples.

Can you give me an example of declarative programming?

Certainly! Declarative programming focuses on what the program should accomplish rather than how to achieve it. SQL is a great example, as it allows you to specify what data you want without detailing the steps to retrieve it.