Table of Contents
Types of Computer Language
- Low-Level Languages: A language that corresponds directly to a specific machine
- High-Level Languages: Any language that is independent of the machine
There are also other types of languages, which include
- System languages: These are designed for low-level tasks, like memory and process management
- Scripting languages: These tend to be high-level and very powerful
- Domain-specific languages: These are only used in very specific contexts
- Visual languages: Languages that are not text-based
- Esoteric languages: Languages that are jokes or are not intended for serious use
Language is a means of communication. Normally people interact with each other through communication. On the same pattern, communication with computers is carried out through a language. The language is understood both by the user and the machine. Normally every language has its grammatical rules; similarly, every computer language is bound by rules known as the SYNTAX of the language.
Programming language
A programming language is an artificial language that can be used to write programs that control the behavior of a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages are defined by rules which describe their structure and meaning respectively. Many programming languages have some form of written specification of their syntax.
There are two levels of language. 1. High-level programming language 2. Low-level programming language
High-level programming language
These languages are normal, English like. Easy to understand statements to pass the instruction to the computer. The languages are problem-oriented. It offers: ● Readability ● Easy Debugging ● Portability ● Easy software Development Example: – BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN, PASCAL, and C.
Low-level programming language
Low-level programming languages are sometimes divided into two categories:
1. Machine Language
Machine Language is the only language that is directly understood by the computer. It does not need any translator program. We also call it machine code and it is written as strings of 1’s (one) and 0’s (zero). When this sequence of codes is fed to the computer, it recognizes the codes and converts it into electrical signals needed to run it. For example, a program instruction may look like this: 1011000111101. It is not an easy language for you to learn because of its difficult to understand. It is efficient for the computer but very inefficient for programmers. It is considered to the first-generation language. It is also difficult to debug the program written in this language.
Advantages And Limitations Of Machine Languages
Programs written in machine language can be executed very fast by the computer. This is due to the fact that machine instructions are directly understood by the CPU and no translation of the program is required. But writing a program in machine language has some disadvantages which are given below: 1. Machine dependence: Since the Internal design of a computer varies from machine to machine, the machine language is different from computer to computer. Thus a program written in machine language in one computer needs modification for its execution on another computer. 2. Difficult to the program: A machine language programmer must have thorough knowledge about the hardware structure of the computer. 3. Error-prone: For writing programs in machine language, a programmer has to remember the OPCODES and has to keep track of the storage locution of data and instructions. In the process, it becomes very difficult for him to concentrate fully on the logic of the problem and as a result, some errors may arise in programming. 4. Difficult to modify: It is very difficult to correct or modify machine language programs.
2. Assembly Language
It uses only letters and symbols. Programming is simpler and less time consuming than machine language programming. It is easy to locate and correct errors in Assembly language. It is also machine-dependent. The programmer must have knowledge of the machine on which the program will run. An assembler is a program that translates an assembly language program into a machine language program.
Assembly languages have the following advantages over machine languages; 1. Easier to understand and use: Assembly languages are easier to understand and use because mnemonics are used instead of numeric op-codes and suitable names are used for data. 2. Easy to locate and correct errors: While writing programs in assembly language, fewer errors are made and those that are made arc easier to find and correct because of the use of mnemonics and symbolic names. 3. Easier to modify: Assembly language programs are easier for people to modify than machine language programs. This is mainly because they are easier to understand and hence it is easier to locate, correct, and modifies instructions as and when desired. 4. No worry about addresses: The great advantage of assembly language is that it eliminates worry about address for instructions and data. Disadvantages 1. Machine Dependence: Programs written in assembly language are designed for the specific make and model of the processor being used and are therefore machine-dependent. 2. Knowledge of hardware is required: Since assembly language is machine-dependent, the programmer must be aware of a particular machine’s characteristics and requirements as the program is written. Machine and assembly codes are based on the basic design of computers and are referred to as ‘low-level language’.