When someone is brand new to programming, then it is not so important to understand programming paradigms.
But when it comes to creating complex software and programs, it is important to understand the programming paradigm for the best preference of the project.
The programming paradigm is the way the elements and the structure of a computer program are arranged. Programming structures are mainly classified into object-oriented and procedural programming.
They both have different work approaches and are applied in several applications.
Key Takeaways
- Object-oriented programming is based on the concept of objects, while procedural programming is based on a sequence of procedures or instructions.
- In object-oriented programming, the data and behavior are encapsulated within objects, while in procedural programming, the data and behavior are separated.
- Object-oriented programming allows for inheritance and polymorphism, while procedural programming does not support these features.
Object-Oriented Programming vs Procedural Programming
In object-oriented programming, programs are categorized into objects. Each object is unique and can have different attributes. Large and complicated programs can be divided into objects for simplification. In procedural programming, programs are categorized into functions. Functions are sequences of steps that are performed to carry out a particular task.
The acronym for object-oriented programming is OOP. This programming is referred to as the concept of an object-based programming model. Its program is less complex due to modularity.
In this, the concept of objects is used to design computer programs that interact with the real world.
The abbreviation for procedural-oriented programming is POP. It is referred to as the concept of calling a procedure-based programming model. This model is mainly derived from structured programming.
Procedures comprise of computational steps series which are to be carried out. It is also referred to as routines, functions, or sub-routines.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Object-Oriented Programming | Procedural Programming |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Bottom-up approach | Top-down approach |
| Divided into | Objects | Functions |
| Secure | More | Less |
| Access specifier | Yes | No |
| Examples | C++ and JAVA | BASIC and FORTRAN |
What is Object-Oriented Programming?
OOP, or object-oriented programming, is a computer programming model to organize software design around objects or data rather than logic and functions. An object can be described as a data field with unique behaviour and attributes.
It mainly focuses on the objects that developers manipulate rather than logic manipulate them.
The programming approach is preferred for complex, large, and actively maintained or updated programs. This mainly includes programs for design and manufacturing as well as mobile applications.
For instance, object-oriented programming is used for manufacturing system simulation software.
An object-oriented program’s organization also makes the method advantageous to collaborative development in which projects are majorly divided into groups. Scalability, efficiency, and usability are the additional benefits of object-oriented programming.
In this kind of programming, objects can communicate as well as move with each other with the help of member functions.
In object-oriented programming, the very first step is to collect all the objects for manipulation by the programmer and identify the reaction between them is an exercise called data modelling.
The building blocks or structure of object-oriented programming mainly consists of methods, classes, attributes, and objects.
What is Procedural Programming?
For a programmer, procedural programming might be the first programming paradigm to learn. Procedural code directly instructs a device in logical steps to finish a task.
Procedural programming involves writing a list of instructions for a computer to tell what to do step by step to finish the task. Most functions for sharing use global data that can be accessed freely in the system from function to function.
Based on the procedure call concept, the paradigm divides the program into procedures and are also known as functions or routines, which contain a series of steps to be carried out.
Procedural programming uses a linear top-down approach and treats procedures and data as two different entities. Communication is done by return and parameter value in procedural programming.
The first procedural programming languages including, ALGOL, PL/I, COBOL, BASIC, and Fortran, which appeared circa 1957-1964. The published circa 1970-1972 were C and Pascal.
Procedural programming consists of several key features such as local variable, modularity, global variable, parameter passing, and predefined function.
For procedural programming, computer processors provide hardware support through a stack register, calling procedures instructions and returning from them.
Hardware support is possible for other types of programming, but there has been no attempt that was successful commercially.
Main Differences Between Object-Oriented Programming and Procedural Programming
- In object-oriented programming, data does not transfer from one object to another. On the other hand, the same data can be transferred from one function to another in procedural programming.
- In object-oriented programming, communication is done by sending a message to them. But communication is done by return and parameter value in procedural programming.
- Object-oriented programming provides an easier way to add new functions and data. On the flip side, adding new functions and data in procedural programming is not so easy.
- When it comes to data accessibility, data can be kept public or private in object-oriented programming, while in procedural programming, most functions for sharing use global data that can be accessed freely in the system from function to function.
- In object-oriented programming, objects can communicate and move with each other with the help of member functions, whereas data can freely move from function to function in the system in procedural programming.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I appreciated the attention to detail in explaining the differences between the two programming models.
The explanation of the history and key features of Procedural Programming gives context to its evolution and significance in the programming landscape.
The historical context indeed provides a comprehensive understanding of the origins and development of Procedural Programming.
It’s valuable to understand the roots of Procedural Programming, making it easier to appreciate its role in shaping modern programming languages.
The explanation of data modeling in Object-Oriented Programming is enlightening, providing a deeper understanding of the programming model.
I found the focus on data modeling to be particularly insightful, shedding light on the core principles of Object-Oriented Programming.
The real-life application examples of object-oriented programming showcase the practical relevance of this paradigm, making it a valuable read for aspiring developers.
The extensive comparison table is very informative, helping readers to understand the features of both programming paradigms.
It’s quite beneficial to see a side-by-side comparison, making it easier to discern the key differences.
The table indeed provides a clear overview of the different parameters between Object-Oriented Programming and Procedural Programming.
The article effectively delves into the nuances of both programming paradigms, ensuring that readers gain a rich understanding of their principles and applications.
This article provides a clear distinction between object-oriented programming and procedural programming, making it easy to comprehend the fundamentals of programming paradigms.
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The detailed explanation of Object-Oriented Programming and Procedural Programming is valuable for programmers at any level of experience.
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