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Programming Languages Deep Notes

The document provides an in-depth overview of programming languages, covering syntactic and semantic rules, characteristics of good programming languages, and types of language translators. It also discusses elementary data types, declarations, type checking, assignment, numeric data types, enumerations, booleans, and characters. Key features include the importance of readability, efficiency, and robust error handling in programming languages.

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4 views5 pages

Programming Languages Deep Notes

The document provides an in-depth overview of programming languages, covering syntactic and semantic rules, characteristics of good programming languages, and types of language translators. It also discusses elementary data types, declarations, type checking, assignment, numeric data types, enumerations, booleans, and characters. Key features include the importance of readability, efficiency, and robust error handling in programming languages.

Uploaded by

kumarsumit.sk945
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Programming Languages - In-depth

Notes
1. Syntactic and Semantic Rules of a Programming Language
Syntactic Rules:

- These define the structure and form of valid statements in a language.

- Syntax governs how tokens (keywords, operators, identifiers) are arranged.

- It is based on formal grammars like BNF (Backus-Naur Form).

- Syntax errors prevent compilation.

Example: In C, a function must be defined with a return type: int main() {...}

Semantic Rules:

- Define the meaning of syntactically correct statements.

- Ensure logic and meaning, such as type compatibility and scope.

- Example: int x = "abc"; is syntactically correct but semantically wrong.

- Semantic analysis phase in compilers ensures that operations are valid.

2. Characteristics of a Good Programming Language


A good programming language should support both the programmer and the machine. It
must:

- Simplicity: Should have minimal and simple constructs.

- Readability: Easy to read and understand, with consistent naming and indentation.

- Writability: Must facilitate ease of writing complex logic.

- Orthogonality: Few primitive constructs can be combined in a consistent way.

- Efficiency: Should use system resources effectively.

- Portability: Should run across various platforms with minimal changes.

- Modularity: Should support functions, procedures, classes for code reuse.

- Robust Error Handling: Provides clear error messages and recovery mechanisms.

- Security: Restricts access to protected data and enforces safe programming practices.
- Rich Ecosystem: Should have tools like debuggers, IDEs, and libraries.

3. Programming Language Translators


Compiler:

- Converts entire high-level source code into machine code before execution.

- Faster runtime, as the program is pre-compiled.

- Example: C, C++

Interpreter:

- Executes source code line by line.

- Useful for scripting and dynamic applications.

- Slower than compiled programs.

- Example: Python, JavaScript

Assembler:

- Converts assembly language code into machine code.

Hybrid:

- Languages like Java compile to intermediate bytecode.

- Then interpreted by the JVM (Java Virtual Machine).

- Offers portability and moderate performance.

4. Elementary Data Types


Data Objects: Abstract representations of values handled by the program.

Variables: Named references to memory locations where data is stored.

Constants: Fixed values which cannot be changed during execution.

Primitive Types:

- Integer types (int, short, long)

- Floating-point types (float, double)

- Character type (char)

- Boolean type (true, false)

- Void type (represents 'no value', typically used for functions)


5. Specification & Implementation of Elementary Data Types
Specification:

- Defines what values a data type can hold and what operations can be performed.

- Abstract Data Type (ADT): Describes the logical behavior.

Implementation:

- Describes how the data type is stored in memory (bits, bytes, alignment).

- Example: int may be implemented as 32-bit or 64-bit depending on system.

- Involves storage strategy, precision (for floats), encoding (ASCII for chars).

6. Declarations, Type Checking & Type Conversions


Declarations:

- Declare variables before use, specifying type and optionally value.

Example: int a = 5;

Type Checking:

- Ensures type safety; prevents applying incompatible operations.

- Static type checking: Done at compile-time (C, Java).

- Dynamic type checking: Done at run-time (Python, JavaScript).

Type Conversion:

- Implicit Conversion: Automatic promotion of types.

Example: int to float.

- Explicit Conversion (Type Casting):

Example: float x = (float) a / b;

7. Assignment & Initialization


Assignment:

- Assigns a value to a variable during execution.

Example: x = 10;

Initialization:

- Assigns value at declaration.


Example: int x = 10;

- Helps avoid undefined behavior due to uninitialized variables.

- Constants must be initialized at the time of declaration.

8. Numeric Data Types


Integer Types:

- Can be signed or unsigned.

- Includes: int, short, long, long long.

- Range depends on system architecture (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit).

Floating-point Types:

- Used for real numbers with fractional parts.

- Includes: float (4 bytes), double (8 bytes), long double (10 or more bytes).

- Follow IEEE 754 standard for floating-point arithmetic.

9. Enumerations
- enum defines symbolic names for integer constants.

- Useful for readability and preventing invalid values.

Syntax:

enum Color { RED, GREEN, BLUE };

Color c = GREEN;

- Internally: RED=0, GREEN=1, etc., unless values are specified.

10. Booleans & Characters


Booleans:

- Represent truth values: true or false.

- In C: stdbool.h must be included.

- In modern languages, bool is a built-in type.

Characters:

- Represented using char type.

- Stored as numeric codes using ASCII or Unicode.


- 'A' = ASCII 65, 'a' = ASCII 97.

- Escape sequences: '\n', '\t', '\\' represent newline, tab, backslash.

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