structured programming: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical
Quick answer
What does “structured programming” mean?
A programming paradigm that emphasizes the use of sequential, selection, and iteration control structures to improve program clarity and quality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A programming paradigm that emphasizes the use of sequential, selection, and iteration control structures to improve program clarity and quality.
A methodology in software development that advocates for a clear, hierarchical flow of control, avoiding the use of the GOTO statement and promoting modular, easy-to-understand code.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows regional norms ('programming' vs. 'programing', though 'programming' is now dominant in AmE for this context).
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Carries the same technical weight and historical association with foundational computer science.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical/computing contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “structured programming” in a Sentence
Noun + of + structured programmingAdjective + structured programmingVerb + structured programmingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “structured programming” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team was advised to structure their programming more carefully.
- We need to structure the program around discrete functions.
American English
- The firm structured its programming to meet the new standards.
- He prefers structuring his programming before writing any code.
adverb
British English
- The code was structuredly programmed for easy maintenance.
- They programmed structuredly, using only the three basic constructs.
American English
- The application was structuredly programmed to avoid bugs.
- You must think structuredly to solve this algorithm.
adjective
British English
- The structured programming assignment was quite challenging.
- They followed a structured programming methodology.
American English
- A structured programming approach saved the project.
- The course covers structured programming concepts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in software project specifications where it denotes a required development methodology.
Academic
Common in computer science, software engineering, and history of technology courses and literature.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in software development, often discussed in contrast to object-oriented or functional programming.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “structured programming”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “structured programming”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “structured programming”
- Using 'structured programming' to mean any well-organized code, rather than the specific historical paradigm.
- Confusing it solely with the avoidance of GOTO, missing its emphasis on control structures.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related but not identical. Structured programming is a subset of procedural programming that specifically mandates the use of sequence, selection, and iteration structures while avoiding GOTO.
Yes, Python supports and encourages structured programming paradigms, though it also supports other paradigms like object-oriented and functional programming.
The concept is most famously associated with computer scientists like Edsger W. Dijkstra, who advocated for the abolition of the GOTO statement, and others like Corrado Böhm and Giuseppe Jacopini, who proved any program could be written with just sequence, selection, and iteration.
Absolutely. Its core principles—modularity, clear flow of control, and code readability—are considered fundamental best practices in almost all modern programming paradigms, even if the specific historical movement is less discussed.
A programming paradigm that emphasizes the use of sequential, selection, and iteration control structures to improve program clarity and quality.
Structured programming is usually technical in register.
Structured programming: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrʌk.tʃəd ˈprəʊ.ɡræm.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrʌk.tʃɚd ˈproʊ.ɡræm.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to code with structure”
- “to avoid the spaghetti bowl”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a building with a clear blueprint (structure) versus a pile of bricks (unstructured code).
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRAMMING IS CONSTRUCTION (with blueprints and frameworks).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a core control structure in structured programming?