imperative language
imperative
imperative programming

    Any programming language that specifies explicit
   manipulation of the state of the computer system, not to be
   confused with a procedural language, which specifies an
   explicit sequence of steps to perform.

   An example of an imperative (but non-procedural) language is a
   data manipulation language for a relational database
   management system.  This specifies changes to the database
   but does not necessarily require anyone to specify a sequence
   of steps.

   Both contrast with declarative languages, which specify
   neither explicit state manipulation nor a sequence of steps.

   (2007-10-02)