Imperative programming focuses on *how* to do something, with step-by-step instructions. Declarative programming focuses on *what* needs to be done, where you describe the desired outcome without specifying the exact steps.

Imperative and declarative programming are two fundamental approaches to writing software. In imperative programming, you write code that describes in detail how the computer should perform a task. This approach involves providing explicit instructions in a step-by-step manner. Languages like C, Java, and Python often lean toward imperative programming, where loops, conditionals, and variables are used to manage the flow of data and control the system's state. On the other hand, declarative programming focuses more on what needs to be achieved rather than how to achieve it. SQL and HTML are examples of declarative languages because you specify what you want without describing the control flow. For instance, in SQL, you say 'SELECT * FROM table' without explaining how the system should retrieve the data. The major advantage of declarative programming is abstraction. By focusing on the 'what,' developers can write more concise, readable code, leaving lower-level details to the system or framework. Declarative programming is widely seen in functional programming languages like Haskell or in frameworks like React, which uses a declarative approach to managing UI state. While imperative programming is often seen as more flexible, it can also lead to more complex and error-prone code. On the flip side, declarative code is usually easier to read but may lack the fine control needed for more specific or performance-critical tasks. Both paradigms have their pros and cons, and a good developer knows when to apply each in the right scenario.