non-procedural language - technical definition

A computer language that does not require writing traditional programming logic. Also known as a "declarative language," users concentrate on defining the input and output rather than the program steps required in a procedural language such as C++, COBOL or Visual Basic. For example, a command, such as LIST, might display all the records in a file on screen, separating fields with a blank space. In a procedural language, all the logic for inputting each record, testing for end of file and formatting each column on screen has to be explicitly programmed.

Query languages, report writers, interactive database programs, spreadsheets and application generators are examples of non-procedural languages. Contrast with and see procedural language for an example.