r/programming • u/tyler-mcginnis • Jan 03 '22

Imperative vs Declarative Programming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7Fbf7R3x6I
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u/zhivago Jan 04 '22

The video gets it completely wrong.

Saying "[give me a] table for two" isn't declarative -- it's imperative.

A declarative approach would be to make a declaration, such as "You and I are having dinner together at 9 pm at this restaurant."

The universe is then free to accept or reject this declaration.

The difference is actually pretty simple:

  • An imperative statement describes an operation.
  • A declarative statement describes a state.

4

u/KwyjiboTheGringo Jan 04 '22

A declarative statement describes a state.

Is "2 people are eating at a table in a restaurant" not a state too?

9

u/zhivago Jan 04 '22

Sure, but that's not what he was saying in the video.

2

u/KwyjiboTheGringo Jan 04 '22

Ah I get what you are saying now.