What defines a programming paradigm?

A programming paradigm is best defined as a style or approach to programming. It encompasses a particular way of thinking about and structuring code, guiding the developer in how to design and implement software applications. Different paradigms have their own principles, methodologies, and patterns for problem-solving and organizing code.

For instance, common programming paradigms include imperative programming, where the focus is on describing how a program operates, and functional programming, which emphasizes the evaluation of functions and avoids changing-state and mutable data. Object-oriented programming is another paradigm that organizes code around objects that combine data and behavior.

In contrast, a specific programming language refers to the syntax and semantics of a particular tool used to write code but does not dictate a programming style. A set of coding standards involves guidelines for writing code consistently and clearly but does not encompass the broader conceptual approach of a paradigm. A debugging technique pertains to methods used for identifying and correcting errors in code, which is a separate aspect of the overall programming process.