imperative language
imperative
imperative programming
<language> Any {programming language} that specifies explicit
manipulation of the state of the computer system, not to be
confused with a {procedural language}, which specifies an
explicit sequence of steps to perform.
An example of an imperative (but non-procedural) language is a
{data manipulation language} for a {relational database
management system}. This specifies changes to the database
but does not necessarily require anyone to specify a sequence
of steps.
Both contrast with {declarative languages}, which specify
neither explicit state manipulation nor a sequence of steps.
(2007-10-02)