Procedure vs. Procedural — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 8, 2024
Procedure involves a series of actions conducted in a certain order, while procedural relates to the rules or methods involved in procedures.
Difference Between Procedure and Procedural
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Procedure refers to a set sequence of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. On the other hand, procedural pertains to the nature or methodology of procedures themselves.
Procedures are designed to ensure consistency and efficiency, minimizing errors and variability in outcomes. In programming, procedural languages focus on the sequence of actions or commands to execute tasks, emphasizing the process over the end state.
Procedures are concrete and actionable, serving as blueprints for execution. Procedural, however, is more abstract, focusing on the principles or guidelines that underpin the execution of procedures.
While procedures are inherently practical and aimed at application, procedural elements emphasize the underlying logic, rules, or methods. This distinction is crucial in areas where the methodology impacts outcomes significantly, such as in procedural programming, where the sequence of operations is critical to achieving desired software behavior.
Comparison Chart
Nature
A series of steps or actions.
Related to the methodology or rules.
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Context
Medical, legal, technical tasks.
Legal systems, programming languages.
Focus
Execution and outcomes.
Principles and guidelines.
Application
Specific, concrete tasks.
Broad, underlying approaches or systems.
Outcome
Achieves a particular end.
Governs the process or method of achieving ends.
Compare with Definitions
Procedure
A legal process.
The divorce procedure can be lengthy and complicated.
Procedural
Relating to the rules of procedure in a legislative body.
The senator raised a procedural objection to the amendment.
Procedure
A method of conducting affairs in a formal or organized manner.
Parliamentary procedure dictates how debates are structured.
Procedural
Concerning the formalities of how something is done rather than its substance.
The argument was dismissed on procedural grounds, not on merit.
Procedure
A series of actions conducted in a certain order for data processing or problem-solving.
The lab procedure requires careful handling of samples.
Procedural
Involving the examination or application of methods and processes.
The committee focused on procedural improvements for efficiency.
Procedure
A medical intervention or operation.
The patient underwent a surgical procedure to remove the tumor.
Procedural
Pertaining to or establishing the method of conducting or performing something.
Procedural errors in the trial necessitated a retrial.
Procedure
A specific process or set of steps designed to accomplish a task.
The procedure for evacuating the building is posted next to the fire alarm.
Procedural
In computer science, relating to a programming paradigm focused on procedures or routines.
Procedural programming languages like C prioritize sequence and procedure.
Procedure
An established or official way of doing something
The police are now reviewing procedures
Parliamentary procedure
Procedural
Of or concerning procedure, especially of a court of law or parliamentary body.
Procedure
A manner of proceeding; a way of performing or effecting something
Standard procedure.
Procedural
A police procedural.
Procedure
A series of steps taken to accomplish an end
A medical procedure.
Evacuation procedures.
Procedural
Related to procedure.
The judge dismissed the case on procedural grounds: it wasn't the facts or the law, but just that they hadn't filed the correct forms.
Procedure
(Computers) A set of instructions that performs a specific task; a subroutine or function.
Procedural
(computing) Generated by means of a procedure, rather than being designed.
A procedural texture; procedural terrain
Procedure
A set of established forms or methods for conducting the affairs of an organized body such as a business, club, or government.
Procedural
(literature) A type of literature, film, or television program involving a sequence of technical detail.
Procedure
(Law) The set of rules under which litigation is conducted, especially in contrast to the set of substantive legal principles that determine the merits of legal controversies and disputes.
Procedural
Of or relating to procedure;
A procedural violation
Procedure
A particular method for performing a task.
Procedural
Applying to methods of enforcement and rules of procedure;
Adjective law
Procedure
A series of small tasks or steps taken to accomplish an end.
Procedure
(uncountable) The set of established forms or methods of an organized body for accomplishing a certain task or tasks.
Ensure that you follow procedure when accessing customers' personal information.
Procedure
The steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding.
Procedure
(obsolete) That which results; issue; product.
Procedure
(computing) A subroutine or function coded to perform a specific task, but does not return a value.
Procedure
(medicine) A surgical operation.
Procedure
The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward; progress; process; operation; conduct.
Procedure
A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps taken in an action or other legal proceeding.
Procedure
That which results; issue; product.
Procedure
A particular course of action intended to achieve a result;
The procedure of obtaining a driver's license
It was a process of trial and error
Procedure
A process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work;
The operations in building a house
Certain machine tool operations
Procedure
A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
Procedure
A mode of conducting legal and parliamentary proceedings
Common Curiosities
What does procedural mean?
Procedural refers to aspects or characteristics related to a procedure or set of procedures, often concerning the rules or methodology.
What is a procedure?
A procedure is a set sequence of actions or steps taken to achieve a specific outcome.
How are procedures and procedural different?
Procedures are practical sequences of actions, while procedural pertains to the guidelines or rules governing these actions.
Why are procedures important?
Procedures ensure consistency, efficiency, and predictability in achieving desired outcomes.
How do procedural improvements enhance efficiency?
By refining the methods and rules governing tasks, procedural improvements can streamline processes and reduce errors.
Can procedural fairness affect outcomes?
Yes, procedural fairness, ensuring fair and transparent processes, can impact perceptions of legitimacy and acceptance of outcomes.
Can something be both procedural and a procedure?
Yes, in contexts where a procedure is defined by or follows specific procedural guidelines.
How do procedural rules impact legal processes?
Procedural rules guide how legal processes unfold, affecting everything from filing cases to conducting trials.
Can procedures change?
Yes, procedures can be adapted or revised based on new information, technologies, or goals.
What is procedural knowledge?
Procedural knowledge is understanding how to perform certain tasks, focusing on the methods rather than the facts.
What is a procedural error?
A procedural error involves mistakes in following the established rules or methods, often impacting the validity of a process.
Is procedural knowledge enough to perform a task effectively?
While procedural knowledge is crucial, effective task performance often also requires conceptual understanding and experience.
What role do procedures play in safety?
Procedures are critical for ensuring safety in various contexts, providing clear guidelines for emergency responses, operations, and maintenance.
Are all programming languages procedural?
No, while procedural programming languages focus on sequence and procedure, other paradigms, like object-oriented programming, prioritize data and objects.
How do procedural and non-procedural programming languages differ?
Procedural languages focus on a sequence of commands to perform tasks, while non-procedural languages specify what tasks to perform without dictating the sequence.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
