VHDL question about algorithm implementation

Dear All,
I'm learning VHDL then may be my question should be easy for you but I
need some hint to

go on the subject. At now I've to code a VHDL circut able to drive a
74HC595 serial-in parallel-out register trough a four lines interface:

1. SSCLR
2. SSDAT
3. SSCLK
4. SSSTR

SSCLR will be used to clear the internal 74HC595 register
SSDAT used as data line, I've to put one bit each clock toggle
SSCLK clock for the internal 74HC595 shift registers
SSSTR strobe, used to load the data from the internal registers on the
output

At now I'm doing all the task with a microcontroller and a simple C
code, now I like as exercise to do the same things by using a
dedicated logic circuit.
From a logic flow point of view I've to implement this steps:

dataword = 1;
For (i=0; i<=15; i++)
{

SSCLR <= 0;
wait;
SSCLR <= 1;
For (j=0; j<15;j++)
{
SSDAT <= dataword[j];
wait;
SSCLK <= 1;
wait;
SSCLK <= 0;
wait;
}
SSSTR <= 1;
SSSTR <= 0;
dataword << 1;
}

By using this code I can load the parallel output of the 74HC595 with
a word builded with just only one bit set to 1 (I'm using this to test
all the 74HC595 output one by one).
My question now is about what architecture is the best to use, a
PROCESS architecure might be useful in this way? As I've read a
PROCESS is a collection of statements that are processed in sequential
way, but also I've see that signals are updated on the process exit
but into this situation I've to update signal in real time to achieve
the right behaviour. I'm are right or not about this point?

Thanks to all
Powermos