Structural

Here is the improved and well-structured version of the article using MediaWiki syntax and a C# example, with explanations added:

Structured Programming

Structured programming stands as a pivotal advancement in software development, offering a more organized and systematic approach to writing code. It promotes the use of well-defined control structures to enhance code clarity, maintainability, and reliability. This paradigm emerged as a response to the challenges posed by the unstructured nature of early imperative programming, providing a disciplined methodology for managing program flow.

Key Characteristics

1. Control Structures: Structured programming advocates for structured control flow constructs, such as loops, conditionals, and subroutines, to govern program execution. These constructs provide clear and predictable pathways through the code, reducing errors and making the logic easier to understand.
2. Modularity: A core principle of structured programming is modularity—breaking complex tasks into smaller, manageable modules or functions. Each module encapsulates specific operations, promoting organization and enabling code reuse.
3. Single Entry, Single Exit: Structured programming enforces the principle of "single entry, single exit," simplifying program logic and debugging by limiting execution paths within a module. This approach improves readability and makes control flow easier to follow.
4. Top-Down Design: Structured programming encourages a top-down design approach. Developers define the overall program structure first, then refine individual modules or functions. This hierarchical method emphasizes high-level architecture before delving into implementation details.

Example: Structured Programming in C#

The following example demonstrates structured programming principles by calculating the factorial of a number using clear control structures and modular design:

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        Console.Write("Enter a non-negative integer: ");
        int number = Convert.ToInt32(Console.ReadLine());

        if (number < 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Invalid input! Please enter a non-negative integer.");
        }
        else
        {
            int result = CalculateFactorial(number);
            Console.WriteLine($"The factorial of {number} is: {result}");
        }
    }

    // Function to calculate factorial
    static int CalculateFactorial(int n)
    {
        int factorial = 1;
        for (int i = 1; i <= n; i++)
        {
            factorial *= i;
        }
        return factorial;
    }
}

Sample Output
Enter a non-negative integer: 5
The factorial of 5 is: 120
Explanation

1. Input Validation: The `Main` method ensures the user inputs a non-negative integer, avoiding invalid calculations.
2. Modularity: The `CalculateFactorial` function encapsulates the logic for computing factorials, separating it from the input/output logic in `Main`. This modularity promotes reusability and clarity.
3. Structured Control Flow: The `for` loop within `CalculateFactorial` uses a structured construct to calculate the factorial iteratively, following the principle of single entry and single exit.

Advantages of Structured Programming

1. Improved Code Clarity: Structured control constructs and modular design improve readability and maintainability.
2. Reduced Errors: Predictable program flow minimizes the risk of logical errors and simplifies debugging.
3. Ease of Maintenance: Modularity allows developers to isolate and update specific sections of code without affecting others.
4. Reusability: Functions and modules can be reused across different parts of the program or even in other projects.

Conclusion

Structured programming provides a disciplined and modular approach to software development, emphasizing clarity and maintainability. By leveraging control structures, modularity, and top-down design, developers can create robust, efficient, and easy-to-understand systems.