Declarative Programming Language or DML is a type of programming language that doesn’t require the programmer to define steps for the machine to follow, but instead declares and describes facts and relationships between data points and elements.
The end-user of the program then creates queries or searches and receives results based on these queries. An example of this type of language is SQL or Structured Query Language that allows to search databases for information.
Queries entered through it pull up a set of records based on a few given criteria and even interact with them, including actions like deleting or editing records in the database.
Technipages Explains Declarative Programming Language
Rather than one individual programming language, this is a type of programming language that puts the focus on the mind of the developer rather than the function of the machine.
This means that, where other types of programming languages might tell a database to open one record, check it out, close it and then open the next one, check it for info and close it, the user follows a more ‘human’ line of thinking. That means that the user creates a query that tells the machine to pull up a list of all records that match certain criteria.
The computer still performs the same actions, but the user doesn’t have to specify exactly what to do. This makes it easier for people not familiar with programming languages in general.
SQL – an example of a DPL – can be used even by people not otherwise familiar with coding. It does require some basic understanding, but not a lot of expertise.
DPLs aren’t useful for every type of task and application, but they do have their uses. Similar to SQL, PROLOG and MySQL are also languages of this type.
Common Uses of Declarative Programming Language
- Declarative Programming Languages use descriptions of functions rather than precise instructions.
- DPLs are perfect for languages that interact with big collections of data like databases.
- Declarative Programming describes wanted results rather than exact processes.
Common Misuses of Declarative Programming Language
- DPL describes programming languages used for programs like Word and video games.
