procedurals

Procedurals refers to techniques and content produced algorithmically through procedures, rules, or functions rather than manual authoring. The term is common in two related areas: procedural programming and procedural generation. In computing, procedurals describe software built from reusable procedures, or content generated by deterministic or stochastic algorithms.

Procedural programming is a programming paradigm in which programs are organized as a collection of procedures or subroutines that operate on data. Emphasis is on modularity, clear control flow, and reuse. Many languages—such as C, Pascal, and Lisp—support procedural style, though modern languages often blend procedural, object-oriented, and functional features.

Procedural generation uses algorithms to create data, content, or environments automatically. It is widely used in video games, simulations, and film to produce terrain, textures, levels, cities, and vegetation. Common techniques include noise functions (Perlin, Simplex), fractals, grammars (L-systems), and rule-based systems. Benefits include scalability, variety, and reduced authoring effort; challenges include ensuring coherence, avoiding repetitive patterns, and giving designers adequate control.

In computer graphics, procedural textures and shaders generate materials and surface properties from mathematical formulas rather than stored images. Procedural modeling uses rules to produce geometry, enabling rapid iteration and large variation from compact definitions.

Procedurals are often used in combination with handcrafted content, yielding hybrid workflows that balance control and automation. Critics point to potential loss of artistic intent and the difficulty of reproducing precise outcomes, while proponents highlight reproducibility and resource efficiency.