Declarative Programming

Declarative Programming is a programming paradigm where the focus is on what to achieve rather than how to achieve it. Instead of specifying step-by-step instructions, you describe the desired outcome, and the program determines how to execute it.

Key Features:

• Focus on Outcome: You specify the logic of the computation without detailing the control flow.
• Immutability: It often minimizes changes to the program state, leading to cleaner and more predictable code.
• Abstract Syntax: The language and code are more abstract and closer to natural language or mathematical logic.
• Examples of Languages: Common declarative programming languages include SQL, HTML, CSS, and Prolog. Functional programming languages like Haskell and Erlang also embrace declarative principles.

Pros and Cons:

Advantages

• Leads to clearer, more concise, and maintainable code.
• Minimizes side effects, making debugging and testing easier.
• Encourages a higher-level approach to problem-solving.

Disadvantages

• May not offer as much control over performance as imperative programming.
• Harder to understand for those accustomed to step-by-step execution.