What is the Difference Between Structured and Unstructured Programming?

The main difference between structured and unstructured programming lies in the approach to organizing and executing code. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Design Approach: Structured programming uses a top-down design approach and control structures, while unstructured programming does not have specific rules or structures.
2. Program Organization: Structured programming divides the code into modules or functions, making it more user-friendly and easier to understand. Unstructured programming writes the code as a single continuous block without any breaks, making it harder to understand and maintain.
3. Data Types: Structured programs use a greater number of data types compared to unstructured programs, which use a limited number of data types.
4. Control Flow: Structured programming does not use GOTO to control the flow of execution, instead relying on loops and other control structures. Unstructured programming uses GOTO to control the flow of execution.
5. Readability: Structured programming produces readable code, while unstructured programming hardly produces readable code.
6. Testing and Debugging: Testing and debugging are easier in structured programming, as the code is organized into smaller modules or functions. In unstructured programming, testing and debugging are more difficult due to the lack of structure and organization.

In summary, structured programming is a more modern and organized approach to programming, while unstructured programming is an older approach that lacks structure and organization. Structured programming is generally easier to understand, maintain, and modify, whereas unstructured programming can be more complex and difficult to work with.

Comparative Table: Structured vs Unstructured Programming

Here is a table comparing the differences between structured and unstructured programming:

Structured programming allows programmers to divide the entire program into smaller units, making it easier to understand, modify, and maintain. On the other hand, unstructured programming executes in sequential order and does not divide the program into smaller modules, making it more complex and harder to understand.