Procedural and object-oriented programming (OOP) are two major paradigms in software development. Procedural programming follows a linear, top-down approach, where the program is structured into procedures or functions. These functions operate on data and are executed step by step. Languages like C and Pascal are procedural, making them ideal for smaller applications where a structured sequence of operations is needed.

On the other hand, object-oriented programming is based on objects, which combine data and methods that operate on the data. OOP promotes encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, making code more modular, reusable, and scalable. Languages such as Java, Python, and C++ support OOP, making them suitable for large, complex software projects.

The key difference between procedural and OOP lies in how data and behavior are managed. Procedural programming treats data and functions separately, while OOP integrates them within objects, leading to better data security and reusability. OOP is widely used in modern software development, including web applications and game development.

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