procedural

Procedural is an adjective derived from procedure and is used across disciplines to describe methods, processes, or sequences of steps used to accomplish a task. The term emphasizes how something is done rather than what is achieved, and it can contrast with approaches that focus on outcomes, objects, or structures.

In programming, procedural programming is a paradigm that organizes code into procedures or subroutines that operate on data. Programs execute by following a sequence of instructions, often using mutable state and side effects. It is one of the foundational styles in imperative programming and is distinct from object-oriented or declarative approaches.

Procedural generation refers to algorithmic creation of content rather than manual authoring. By using parameters or seeds, software can produce varied, reproducible results such as terrain, levels, textures, or entire worlds. Techniques include noise functions, fractals, and grammar-based systems; it is widely used in games and simulations to reduce storage needs and increase variability.

Procedural law denotes the rules that govern how legal processes are conducted—courts, jurisdiction, service, evidence, and due process. This contrasts with substantive law, which defines rights and duties themselves. Procedural rules aim to ensure fairness, efficiency, and consistency in enforcement.

Procedural justice concerns the fairness of the processes by which decisions are made, not solely the outcomes. In courts, workplaces, and organizations, it emphasizes impartiality, transparency, an opportunity to present one’s case, and consistent application of rules. In psychology, procedural memory refers to the learning of skills and routines through repetition.