What is programming language? || Generation of language

 

What is Programming language?

A Programming language is a formal language designed to communicate instruction to a computer or a machine. It is used to write software programs, which are sets of instructions, tell the computer what tasks to perform.

Programming language is used to develop a wide range of software, from simple scripts that automate repetitive tasks to complex applications that run on desktops, servers, mobile devices and webs. Some of most popular programming language is C, C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, and Ruby. Each language has its own syntax.

 

Programming language is classified into two categories:-

1, Low level language

2, High level language

 

1, Low level language

The low level language is a programming language they provides no abstraction from hardware and it is represented as 0 or 1 forms, which are the machine instruction. The languages that come under this category are the Machine level language and Assembly level language. Low level programming languages are computer own language. Programmer required details knowledge of hardware and architecture to use this language. It is further categories as:-

a, Machine level language (First generation language)

b, Assembly level language (Second generation language)

 

a, Machine level language (First generation language)

The machine level language is a language that consists of a set of instruction that is in the binary form 0 or 1. As we know that computer can understand only machine languages, which are in binary digit i.e 0 and 1, so the instruction given to the computer are in only binary codes.

 

Merits of Machine level language

i, It is directly understand by processor so, has faster execution.

ii, It doesn’t need to be translate into other language.

iii, It take less memory.

 

Demerits of Machine level language

i, It is difficult to write a program using machine codes because it is in o or1 o from.

ii, It take more time.

iii, It is difficult to find errors and to debug.

 

b, Assembly level language (Second generation language)

Assembly language instructions are written in English words like Move, Add, and Sub so, it is easier to write and understand. The assembly code is not faster then machine code because the assembly language comes above the machine language.

Merits of Assembly level language

i, It is making programming easier. 1GL since it uses mnemonic codes for programming. Eg:- ADD of Addition, SUB for subtraction.

ii, It is easier to debug then machine language.

Demerits of Assembly level language

i, Program written in this language is not directly understandable by computer so, translator should be used.

ii, Programmer must know mnemonic code to perform any task.

 

2, High Level Language

High level languages are developing to make programming easier. These languages is used instruction that are closer to English and mathematical notation. This language is over come must of the short forming of machine and assembly language. The high level language doesn’t require the programmer to have details knowledge of hardware of the compute. High level language must also be translated into machine language by a program before the instructions are executed. A program called compiler or interpreter. The high level language is further categorized are:-

i, Procedural oriented language

ii, Problem oriented language

iii, Natural language

 

i, Procedural oriented language

A computer programming language that executes a set of commands in order is called procedural language. It is written as a list of instructions, telling the computer, step-by-step, what to do .It includes language such as Pascal, BASIC, COVAL, C, FORTRAN, etc… 

ii, Problem oriented language

The programming languages which can be specific application are termed as problem oriented language. This language is designed to handle a particular class of problem. For example, COBOL was designed for business, SQL for databases.

iii, Natural language

It is a programming language that content visual tools to help develop a program. The natural languages are used mainly in artificial intelligence research. People can talk to computer and the voice recognition system can convert spoken sound into written words.