imperative

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: imperative moodjussive moodimperative form

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behaviorSynonyms: imperative moodjussive moodimperative form
  2. some duty that is essential and urgent

Adjective (2)

  1. requiring attention or action“as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative”“requests that grew more and more imperative”
  2. relating to verbs in the imperative mood
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Imperative \Im*per"a*tive\, n. (Gram.) The imperative mood; also, a verb in the imperative mood. [1913 Webster]
Imperative \Im*per"a*tive\, a. [L. imperativus, fr. imperare to command; pref. im- in + parare to make ready, prepare: cf. F. imp['e]ratif. See Perade, and cf. Empire.]

1.Expressive of command; containing positive command; authoritatively or absolutely directive; commanding; authoritative; as, imperative orders. [1913 Webster]

The suit of kings are imperative.— Bp. Hall.[1913 Webster]

2.Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order. [1913 Webster]

3.(Gram.) Expressive of command, entreaty, advice, or exhortation; as, the imperative mood. [1913 Webster]

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

imperative language imperative imperative programming

<language> Any programming language that specifies explicit manipulation of the state of the computer system, not to be confused with a procedural language, which specifies an explicit sequence of steps to perform.

An example of an imperative (but non-procedural) language is a data manipulation language for a relational database management system. This specifies changes to the database but does not necessarily require anyone to specify a sequence of steps.

Both contrast with declarative languages, which specify neither explicit state manipulation nor a sequence of steps.

(2007-10-02)

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