Quiz on Declarative and Imperative Programming Languages

What is declarative programming?

• A programming paradigm that uses loops extensively

• A programming paradigm focused on changing program state

• A programming paradigm that expresses the logic of a computation

• A programming paradigm that describes how to perform tasks

Answer explanation

Declarative programming focuses on expressing the logic of a computation without detailing the control flow. This contrasts with imperative programming, which describes how to perform tasks step by step.

Which of the following is an example of a declarative language?

• Java

• Prolog

• Python

• C++

Answer explanation

Prolog is a declarative programming language, focusing on logic and facts rather than control flow. In contrast, Java, Python, and C++ are imperative languages that require explicit instructions for execution.

What does imperative programming focus on?

• How the program should achieve the result

• What the program should accomplish

• The efficiency of the program

• The structure of the programming language

Answer explanation

Imperative programming focuses on how to achieve a result by specifying the steps or commands to be executed. This contrasts with declarative programming, which emphasizes what the program should accomplish.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of declarative programming?

• Focuses on how to achieve results

• Provides less flexibility

• Simplifies the program

• Expresses logic without control flow

Answer explanation

Declarative programming emphasizes what the program should accomplish rather than how to achieve it. Therefore, the statement 'Focuses on how to achieve results' is NOT a characteristic of declarative programming.

What is a key feature of imperative programming?

• Uses a knowledge base

• Focuses on what the program should accomplish

• Changes program state through statements

• Is less complex than declarative programming

Answer explanation

A key feature of imperative programming is that it changes program state through statements. This means it focuses on how to achieve a result by executing a sequence of commands, unlike declarative programming which describes what to accomplish.

Which of the following languages is considered imperative?

• HTML

• Haskell

• SQL

• PHP

Answer explanation

PHP is considered an imperative programming language because it allows for commands to be executed in a specific order, enabling developers to control the flow of execution. In contrast, HTML, Haskell, and SQL are not imperative.

What does the term 'execution is not clearly delineated' refer to in declarative programming?

• The program is executed in a single step

• The order of instructions is well-defined

• The execution order is not explicitly stated

• The program's control flow is easy to understand

Answer explanation

In declarative programming, 'execution is not clearly delineated' means that the execution order of instructions is not explicitly stated, allowing the underlying system to determine how to execute the program.

Which programming paradigm is characterized by the use of assignment statements?

• Declarative programming

• Logic programming

• Functional programming

• Imperative programming

Answer explanation

Imperative programming is characterized by the use of assignment statements, which change the program's state through commands. In contrast, declarative, logic, and functional programming focus on what to achieve rather than how to achieve it.

What is a common use of declarative languages?

• Creating complex algorithms

• Writing low-level code

• Building user interfaces

• Developing intelligent systems

Answer explanation

Declarative languages are often used in developing intelligent systems because they allow for high-level specifications of behavior and logic, making it easier to express complex rules and relationships without focusing on low-level implementation details.

Which of the following statements is true about imperative programming?

• It can increase program complexity

• It focuses on what the program should accomplish

• It provides less flexibility

• It is easier to create unit tests

Answer explanation

Imperative programming often involves detailed step-by-step instructions, which can lead to increased program complexity as the codebase grows. This makes the statement "It can increase program complexity" true.