Programming Paradigms: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners
The word paradigm means a certain pattern or a model. It might be confusing for someone new to programming how these two words, programming, and paradigms, complement each other. Well, a Programming Paradigm is a certain model or a pattern that a programming language follows in order to complete the task at hand.
It is a certain structure dedicated to particular programming languages and gives the program a certain flow to tackle a problem. However, it is important to keep in mind that Programming Paradigms are not specialized tools but carefully curated steps.
Let us quickly understand what I mean by that and look at the various Programming Paradigm models with their definitions.
Definition and Importance of Programming Paradigms
A Programming Paradigm is not something that will directly help you with the task; rather, it is a defined way or structure of approaching a task. To put it more simply, choosing to cook French cuisine is an example of the Programming Paradigm, we are deciding on a certain way we are going to cook our food. It is not the food we cook or the ingredients we use. Similarly, in the programming world, Programming Paradigm is the style of a certain language.
Now that we understand what it is, let us try to understand why Programming Paradigms are essentially critical with the below points:
- Performance: Certain paradigms are suitable for certain performance requirements. Sometimes the task at hand requires solving problems, or sometimes the task might be just to generate an output. Hence, a multi-faceted problem-solving approach will always yield optimal results.
- Efficiency: When we select the right paradigm for a specific problem, it will be more efficient with the result.
- Compatibility: A dedicated program language will always be a compatible option and will result in fewer issues or troubles.
Overview of Different Paradigms
Now that we have an idea of what a paradigm is, let us look at it in a bit more detail. There are mainly five types of Programming Paradigms, let us look at a few in detail:
- Procedural Programming: It is also imperative programming, and it operates based on procedures. Hence, it has a list of steps to follow that generates an output. The main aim of Procedural Programming is to generate an output, independent of the functions.
- Object-Oriented Programming: In Object-Oriented Programming, data is grouped as an object, and it operates around data rather than logic or functions.
- Functional Programming: As the name suggests, it operates on functions rather than input or data. For example, when we solve a math problem, the functions remain the same but the data changes.
- Logic programming: Logical Programming tries to derive the output through the various logics that is fed to it. It is independent of data or functions but only recognizes logic.
- Event-driven programming: Event-driven Programming responds to external events and generates an output. The click of the mouse or pressing the keyboard buttons can be considered as the parameters of event-driven programming, where certain events are planned or set to act accordingly as an outcome of the external clicks.
Procedural Programming
We now have a basic idea of what we mean by various Programming Paradigms, let us understand each of the concepts in detail.
To begin with, Procedural Programming is based on structures that are dependent on each other. It is the most common paradigm the developer needs to learn to understand programming. It relies on a series of steps that tell the computer how to tackle a task.
Basic Concepts and Examples
There are distinctive features of this programming language that will help you understand the basics of it. Let us look into some of such features.
- Predefined Function: It is the availability of certain functions already in the external library, for which the programmer doesn't have to write new code. As in, the computer is already aware of its action and doesn't need any input. A programmer can reuse it and save a lot of time. It is one of the biggest pros of Procedural Programming, and charAt() is an example of a pre-defined function.
- Local variables: Local variables are the set of operations that work inside a defined function. It will only work on those defined parameters and when the particular function is finished, it ceases to exist.
- Global Variable: Global Variable in Procedural Programming focuses beyond the boundaries of Local Variable. It doesn't have attachments to a particular function and can be used for any function.
- Modularity: It is the sustainable use of functions where two different functions are grouped to achieve a task. These two grouped functions are not similar in nature to one another, but together they are capable of finishing the task at hand.
- Parameter passing: Parameters Passing is when a programmer passes certain parameters through functions. Data is passed along various functions to make sure optimal results are achieved. It is done through “pass by value”, “pass by name” etc.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Now that we know what Procedural Programming is, let us try to understand its advantages and disadvantages and gain further insight.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| It is versatile and can be used in all general-purpose programming. It is traditionally the first language a programmer learns. | It is completely sequence-oriented rather than the actual data. Hence it is not suitable for data-oriented tasks. |
| It is very easy to learn and can be used easily since it involves fewer steps to code. | Procedural Programming is not the first choice for someone who is working on multiple projects since it is not reusable. |
| It allows the breaking of complex codes into simpler components and makes sure the task at hand is achieved. | It can falter majorly when used for complex real-time objects due to its lack of flexibility in the code. |
| Since it is not object-based the development time is usually quicker. | It may not work on a platform different from which it was written on. |
Object-Oriented Programming
OOP is the stream of programming language where the object is the base for output. It doesn't revolve around any particular structure or function. It is programmed to register objects as the data to achieve the task.
Principles of OOP
Object-oriented Programming allows the object to interact in real time with the environment using the four principles of Encapsulation, Abstraction, Inheritance, and Polymorphism. Let us now look at these terms in a bit of detail to understand the concept of OOP.
Encapsulation: The encapsulation ensures that the data of the object is filtered and encrypted individually in assigned parameters called Class. As in, the data from the object remains private and all the object-specified operation goes inside that specified class. It is like having a filter to sort specific data. Hence, it also makes sure that data privacy is intact.
Abstraction: Abstraction gets rid of all the unnecessary details in the environment and mainly focuses on the key details. It negates all the irrelevant details to only focus on the important features to achieve optimal results. For example, for us to watch an English film, we just need to know English. It is irrelevant if we are downloading it or watching it in a cinema hall. So, abstraction’s prime focus is the critical factors without which the program won't run.
Inheritance: Inheritance is one of the most influential features of OOP. It helps to create a child class from the parent class. It ensures that there is less repetition in codes for functions similar in nature. Furthermore, it is basically all about code reusability and avoiding errors due to repetition.
Polymorphism: As the name suggests, polymorphism is the existence of a class in various forms where it either tends to allow multiple classes to perform together or allows the properties of one class to be used in another. It helps to cluster vast amounts of data together under one umbrella and promotes smooth functioning.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It enables modularity, making the data less complicated and ensuring it is less loaded with details. | It is difficult for a beginner to grasp the conditions of Class, Polymorphism, etc. |
| With OOP, one can reuse codes, hence it not only saves time but relieves the system of massive data load. | It tends to increase the size of a code by data amalgamation, making it harder to debug. |
| Its encapsulation feature ensures that privacy is never compromised, leading to secure programs. | It will take up more memory space compared to Procedural Programming due to its complex features. |
| It is easier to partition or filter a chunk of data easily. | Takes a considerable amount of time to be created and developed. |
Functional Programming
Functional Programming functions independently of the program and focuses mainly on the set of functions or steps that need to be followed. It doesn't get manipulated by the input or output value, it is only concerned about the journey from the input value to the output. Functional programming is basically about which problem to solve, rather than focusing on the steps to tackle the problem. Furthermore, it is mainly used in an arithmetic environment.
Core Concepts And Principles
Let us try to understand the core concepts of Functional programming to have a better understanding.
Pure Functions: Pure Function is an input-oriented function that makes sure that there is no side effect and that the output generated is always in coordination with the input and does not change. Furthermore, it is a predictable and reliable concept.
Immutability: Immutability in Functional Programming is the discipline that makes sure the output is devoid of side effects. With immutability, the value declared can't be changed and results in a predictable program.
Referential Transparency: It is the feature that enables you to change the value of a function without changing the behaviour of the program. It mainly relies on input.
Benefits and Limitations
Now that we understand what Functional Programming is about, let us take a glance at its benefits and limitations.
| Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Functional programming overcomes complexity since it is based purely on structures. It allows you to write simpler codes. | It is mainly data-driven and hence it is not suitable for all tasks. |
| Immutability allows reusing codes | The data input can't be changed. |
| Since in FP one function is dependent on the other it paves the way for better code modularity. | It is prone to errors. |
| You can prove a function is correct by using math in real life. | It uses double the amount of memory since you are changing the function of the program. |
Other Paradigms
We have discussed the important programming paradigms that are important in the programming world. However, several other paradigms also play a significant role. Let us quickly look at the other two most indispensable ones.
Logic Programming
Logic programming uses logic to arrive at the result. It aids the environment in achieving a goal rather than which goal to accomplish. It is helping the machines with the concept of logic so that they can make their independent decisions. Some examples of this data-driven language are Absys, Cycl, Alice, ALF.
Event-Driven Programming
EDP is a programming language where the output is completely dependent on external events. The external events determine the flow and execute the program. For example, when a user clicks a button or sends a message on chat, the outcome is determined by EDP. It is designed to consider an event as the trigger and execute further actions.
Conclusion
The world of programming is intriguing. It gives us an insight of how much effort it goes in to ensure that we make the most out of this digital age. It is important to learn about various programming paradigms to understand how programming works. We hope we were able to give you a significant amount of information that will help you with your studies.
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