Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

imperative language
     
         Any {programming language} that specifies explicit
        manipulation of the state of the computer system, not to be
        confused with a {procedural language}.
     
        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.
     
        (2003-06-23)