Prozedur

Prozedur is a term used in German and several other languages to denote a sequence of actions designed to achieve a particular outcome. It can refer to administrative steps, medical interventions, and programming constructs. The word derives from the French procédure, which in turn comes from the Latin procedere, and it is used in many languages with related meanings.

In computing, a prozedur (procedure) is a self-contained sequence of instructions that can be invoked by name. It typically performs operations and may modify data or external state but does not return a value. In languages that distinguish between procedures and functions, a function returns a value, whereas a procedure does not. Stored procedures are routines stored in a database and invoked by applications to perform data-related tasks, often with benefits for encapsulation, reusability, and security.

In medicine, a prozedur refers to a clinical intervention or diagnostic step, such as imaging studies, biopsies, surgeries, or anesthesia protocols. Medical procedures are described in terms of indications, preparation, technique, risks, and post-procedure care, and they vary by complexity, duration, and required equipment.

In administration and law, the term also denotes formal steps and workflows used to achieve compliance, governance, or adjudication. Examples include standard operating procedures, procedural rules, and procedural safeguards. Across contexts, prozedur emphasizes a defined, repeatable sequence of actions aimed at reliable outcomes.