Reactive programming is a programming paradigm that emphasizes asynchronous, non-blocking, and event-driven data processing. Unlike traditional blocking models, where operations wait for responses, reactive programming allows applications to handle multiple events and data streams simultaneously, enhancing responsiveness and scalability. This approach is particularly beneficial in scenarios involving real-time data processing, such as web applications and big data systems. By modeling data and events as streams, developers can create applications that efficiently manage concurrent tasks, leading to improved performance and resource utilization. Libraries like RxJava and Project Reactor are commonly used to implement reactive programming in various programming languages.