Object-oriented programming (OOP) and procedural programming are two fundamental programming paradigms, each with distinct characteristics and approaches to problem-solving.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):

1. Focus on Objects: OOP centers around objects, which are instances of classes. Classes define the structure and behavior (attributes and methods) of objects.

2. Encapsulation: OOP encapsulates data and functions within objects. This bundling of data and methods ensures data integrity and hides internal object details from the outside world.

3. Inheritance: OOP supports inheritance, allowing new classes to inherit properties and behaviors from existing classes, promoting code reuse and hierarchical relationships.

4. Polymorphism: OOP allows polymorphism, enabling objects to be treated as instances of their parent class. This feature supports method overriding and dynamic method binding.

5. Abstraction: OOP uses abstraction to simplify complex systems by modeling real-world entities. It focuses on the “what” rather than the “how,” defining abstract interfaces for objects.

Procedural Programming:

1. Focus on Functions: Procedural programming is based on the concept of procedure calls, where functions or procedures operate on data. The program is structured as a sequence of steps or instructions.

2.Sequential Execution: Procedural programs follow a top-down approach, executing instructions in a linear sequence. Control structures like loops and conditionals dictate the flow.

3.Global Data: Data is often stored in global variables, accessible by multiple functions. This can lead to challenges in maintaining data integrity and debugging.

4.Modularity: Procedural programming can achieve modularity through functions and procedures, but it lacks the encapsulation and inheritance features of OOP.

5. Less Abstraction: Procedural programming tends to focus on the “how” of problem-solving, emphasizing detailed steps and algorithmic processes.

In summary, OOP emphasizes objects, encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction, whereas procedural programming focuses on functions, sequential execution, global data, modularity, and detailed algorithms.