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Computer Programming Languages

A computer programming language is a formal means of instructing a computer, categorized into low-level and high-level languages. Low-level languages, such as machine and assembly languages, provide direct hardware control but are difficult to read and write, while high-level languages like C and Python are more user-friendly and portable but slower. Understanding both types is crucial for programmers to select the appropriate language for their tasks.

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9 views4 pages

Computer Programming Languages

A computer programming language is a formal means of instructing a computer, categorized into low-level and high-level languages. Low-level languages, such as machine and assembly languages, provide direct hardware control but are difficult to read and write, while high-level languages like C and Python are more user-friendly and portable but slower. Understanding both types is crucial for programmers to select the appropriate language for their tasks.

Uploaded by

tomarishank923
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Computer Programming Language: An Overview

A computer programming language is a formal language used to communicate instructions to a

computer. It allows programmers to write programs that perform specific tasks such as calculations,

data processing, and controlling hardware.

There are two main categories of programming languages:

1. Low-Level Languages

2. High-Level Languages

1. Low-Level Language

Low-level languages are closer to the hardware and deal directly with the computer's architecture.

These languages provide little or no abstraction from a computer's instruction set architecture (ISA).

Types of Low-Level Language:

- Machine Language

- Assembly Language

A. Machine Language

- Also known as first-generation language (1GL).

- It consists of binary code (0s and 1s).

- Directly understood by the computer's CPU.

- No need for translation-executed directly.

Example:
10110000 01100001

Advantages:

- Fast execution.

- Uses minimal memory.

Disadvantages:

- Difficult to write, read, and debug.

- Machine-dependent (platform-specific).

- High chance of errors.

B. Assembly Language

- Also known as second-generation language (2GL).

- Uses mnemonics (short symbolic codes) instead of binary.

- Requires an assembler to convert into machine code.

Example:

MOV AL, 61h

Advantages:

- Easier to understand than machine language.

- More efficient control over hardware.

Disadvantages:

- Still hardware-dependent.

- Not portable.

- Harder than high-level languages.


2. High-Level Language

High-level languages are closer to human languages and further away from machine code. These

languages are more abstract, and focus on problem-solving rather than hardware control.

Characteristics:

- Easier to read, write, and maintain.

- Portable across different platforms.

- Must be translated into machine code using compilers or interpreters.

Examples:

C, C++, Java, Python, Pascal, BASIC, FORTRAN

Advantages:

- Simple syntax-closer to English.

- Increases productivity.

- Code is portable and reusable.

Disadvantages:

- Slower than low-level code (due to translation overhead).

- Less control over hardware and memory.

Comparison Chart

Feature | Low-Level Language | High-Level Language

------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------
Abstraction | Low | High

Execution Speed | Fast | Comparatively slower

Readability | Difficult | Easy

Portability | Low | High

Translation Required | Assembler (or none) | Compiler/Interpreter

Hardware Control | Precise | Limited

Error-Prone | High | Less

Conclusion

Both low-level and high-level languages play essential roles in programming.

- Low-level languages are useful when you need high performance and hardware control, such as in

embedded systems or OS development.

- High-level languages are better suited for application development, web programming, and general

software solutions, offering ease and speed in development.

Understanding both types helps programmers choose the right tool for the job.

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