What is Procedural Language?

Procedural Language is also known as 3GL which means third generation language. It is a type of programming language that follows a procedure; set of commands or guidelines that must be followed for smooth execution of the program. It works on step by step basis. It requires the user to tell not only What to do but also How to do it. Its basic idea is to have a program specify the sequence of steps that implements a particular algorithm. Hence, Procedural languages are based on algorithms.

In this developers use variables, loops, and functions to create a program performing a specific task which does calculations and displays a desired output.

It follows a top-down approach. It is carried out in a fixed sequence with a start and end point. The entire program is divided into functions and its main focus is on functions only. The program’s code executes linearly with logical steps. In this, the code is written first and executed with some conditions. The procedure calls to decide the conditions.

There are no data-hiding features in procedural language. It is command command-driven language. It is operated by means of commands keyed in by the user or issued by the program. In procedural language, both iterative and recursive calls are used. It works through the state of the machine. It returns only restricted data types and allowed values. It is highly efficient despite the fact the size of the program is quite large and is not suitable for critical applications with complex code. It takes a lot of time but it needs very less memory.

In procedural language, no access specifiers are used. For eg: In structure all the members are public.

Types of Procedural Language

• FORTRAN: FORTRAN stands for FORmula TRANslation. It is used for scientific engineering computations and high-performance computing.
• C: It is a middle-level language. It is basically designed to write System software and requires advanced programming skills to read and write the desired code.
• BASIC: BASIC stands for Beginner All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. It is a high level programming language designed for ease of use.
• Pascal: Pascal is easy to learn. It produces transparent, efficient and reliable programs.
• ALGOL: ALGOL stands for Algorithmic Language. It is mostly used for scientific calculations.
• COBOL: COBOL stands for COmmon Business Oriented Language. It is easy to read, write and understand. It is basically designed for Business Applications.
• Java: Java is a platform independent language. It generates a machine code from source code with the help of Just In Time compiler.

Features of Procedural Programming Language

• Local Variables: A local variable is a variable that is accessible within a specific part of a program and in procedural language local variable is accessible only in the function in which it is declared.
• Global Variables: A global variable is the one that is declared outside any function and can be accessed by any function of the program written. It is opposite of local variables.
• Modularity: The process of breaking a program into several modules or functions in such a way that each function performs a specific task is called modularity.
• Pre-defined Functions: Pre-defined function as the name suggests are the functions that are defined beforehand and doesn’t require programmer to define it. It is basically built in function and are already defined in the system libraries hence they are also called as library functions.
• Parameter Passing: Parameter passing is referred as a technique used to transfer data between various functions of the program. The data is passed in the form of parameters between the called function and the calling function.

Advantages of Procedural Language

• Easy to understand: Procedural programming simplifies the code and makes it easy to understand by the programmer.
• Reusability: It increases reusability of code.
• Modularity: It divides the programs into modules or functions and these functions use different parts of the memory.
• Simplification: It simplifies the algorithm and makes it understandable by the programmer.
• Top-down approach: The program flows in linear direction.
• Versatile: Developers can use Procedural language for most basic programming projects.

Disadvantages of Procedural Language

• One can’t solve real world problem.
• Encapsulation, Inheritance, Abstraction etc can’t be performed.
• It is less secure as there is no security of data.
• Its semantics are tough and difficult to understand.
• It returns only restricted data types and allowed values.

Conclusion

Procedural programming is used to describe the way in which a computer writes a program. It specifies chain of steps that implements a particular algorithm. In Procedural Programming, programs are divided into small codes that are easier to understand and modify.