Scribd
Upload
38 views

Computer Languages

Computer languages can be categorized into low-level and high-level languages. Low-level languages like machine code and assembly language communicate directly with computer hardware and are faster but harder for humans. High-level languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, and BASIC use vocabulary closer to English and are easier for humans but require translation. Fourth generation languages take a non-procedural approach and allow programmers to specify only what is required rather than how problems are solved.

Uploaded by

dipmala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
38 views

Computer Languages

Computer languages can be categorized into low-level and high-level languages. Low-level languages like machine code and assembly language communicate directly with computer hardware and are faster but harder for humans. High-level languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, and BASIC use vocabulary closer to English and are easier for humans but require translation. Fourth generation languages take a non-procedural approach and allow programmers to specify only what is required rather than how problems are solved.

Uploaded by

dipmala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Computer Language and its types

Riya Jacob K
Asst. Professor on contract, Dept of BCA
Academic year 2020-21
Introduction
• A language is the main medium of communicating between the
Computer systems and the most common are the programming
languages.
• As we know a Computer only understands binary numbers that is 0
and 1 to perform various operations but the languages are
developed for different types of work on a Computer.
• A language consists of all the instructions to make a request to the
system for processing a task.
• From the first generation and now fourth generation of the
Computers there were several programming languages used to
communicate with the Computer.
• Here we will go in the detail of the Computer language and its
types.
Computer Language
• A Computer language includes various languages that are used to
communicate with a Computer machine.
• Some of the languages like programming language which is a set of
codes or instructions used for communicating the machine.
• Machine code is also considered as a computer language that can
be used for programming.
• And also HTML which is a computer language or a markup language
but not a programming language.
• Similarly there are different types of languages developed for
different types of work to be performed by communicating with the
machine.
• But all the languages that are now available are categorized into
two basic types of languages including
• Low-level language and
• High level language.
1. Low Level Language:
• Low level languages are the machine codes in which the
instructions are given in machine language in the form of 0 and 1 to
a Computer system.
• It is mainly designed to operate and handle all the hardware and
instructions set architecture of a Computer.
• The main function of the Low level language is to operate, manage
and manipulate the hardware and system components.
• There are various programs and applications written in low level
languages that are directly executable without any interpretation or
translation.
• The most famous and the base of all programming languages “C”
and “C++” are mostly used Low level languages till today.

• Low level language is also divided into two parts are


1.1 Machine language and
1.2 Assembly language.
1.1 Machine Language
• The first generation language developed for communicating with a
Computer.
• It is written in machine code which represents 0 and 1 binary digits
inside the Computer string which makes it easy to understand and
perform the operations.
• As we know a Computer system can recognize electric signals so
here 0 stands for turning off electric pulse and 1 stands for turning
on electric pulse.
• It is very easy to understand by the Computer and also increases
the processing speed.

• Advantage :
– no need of a translator or interpreter to translate the code, as the
Computer can directly can understand.
• Disadvantage :
– Remember the operation codes, memory address every time you
write a program and also hard to find errors in a written program.
1.2 Assembly Language
• The second generation programming language that has almost
similar structure and set of commands as Machine language.
• Here we use words or names in English forms and also symbols.
• The programs that have been written using words, names and
symbols in assembly language are converted to machine language
using an Assembler.
• Because a Computer only understands machine code languages
that’s why we need an Assembler that can convert the Assembly
level language to Machine language so the Computer gets the
instruction and responds quickly.

• Disadvantage :
– it is written only for a single type of CPU and does not run on any
other CPU.
• But its speed makes it the most used low level language till today
which is used by many programmers.
2. High Level Languages (Third
generation languages/3GLs )
• The assembly language was easier to use compared with machine
language as it relieved the programmer from a burden of
remembering the operation – codes and addresses of memory
location.
• Even though the assembly languages proved to be great help to the
programmer, a search was continued for still better languages
nearer to the conventional English language.
• The languages developed which were nearer to the English
language, for the use of writing the programmer in 1960 were
known as High Level languages.
• The different high level languages which can be used by the
common user are FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, PASCAL, PL-1 and many
others.
• Each high level language was developed to fulfil some basic
requirements for particular type of problems.
• But further developments are made in each language to widen its
utility for different purposes.
Fourth Generation Languages(4GLs)
• The 3GLs are procedural in nature i.e., HOW of the
problem get coded i.e., the procedures require the
knowledge of how the problem will be solved.
• Contrary to them, 4GLs are non procedural.
• That is only WHAT of the problem is coded i.e., only
‘What is required’ is to be specified and rest gets done
on its own.
• Thus a big program of a 3GLs may get replaced by a
single statement of a 4GLs.
• The main aim of 4GLs is to be cut down on developed
and maintenance time and making it easier for users.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy