What is procedural programming? Explain.

Procedural Oriented Programming

Conventional programming using high-level languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN, and C, is commonly known as procedure-oriented programming (POP). In the procedure-oriented approach, the problem is viewed as a sequence of things to be done such as reading, calculating, and printing. A number of functions are written to accomplish these tasks. The primary focus is on functions.

Procedure oriented programming basically consists of writing a list of instructions (or actions) for the computer to follow, and organizing these instructions into groups known as functions.

Some characteristics of Procedure Oriented Programming are as follows:

• Emphasis is on doing things (algorithm)
• Large programs are divided into smaller programs known as functions.
• Most of the functions share global data
• Data are more open around the system from function to function.
• Functions transform data from one form to another.
• Employs top-down approach in program design.