Computer Programming Language
Computer programming language can be defined as an act of writing a program which a computer can execute to produce the expected or desired result (output).
Programming language can now be defined as a sets of rules given to the computer to perform a given task or operation.
There are basically three types of programming language and they are discussed in details as follows:
1. Machine language: This can be regarded as the original computer language. It is made up of instruction codes written or documented in binary form (0s and 1s) and because it is documented in long strings of binary digits (0s and 1s), it is not easy to understand thereby lead to an advent of Low-level and High-level language.
2. Low level language: This is also known as ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE. It is a program written using symbols to denote codes. Its codes are more meaningful and easy to learn. For this language to be in a computer readable form, it has to be translated by a software or translator called An Assembler.
3. High level language: These programming languages are developed with the purpose of contributing to the solutions of business or scientific problems and they allow statements to be made closer to natural human language such as English. It is not sensitive to machine or computer unless it is translated by translators called Interpreter or Compiler.
Examples of High level languages include: BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, VB, JAVA etc.
BASIC – Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code
FORTRAN – Formula Translator
COBOL – Common Business Oriented Language
VB – Visual BASIC
JAVA – JAVA (Developed by Sun Microsystems and named after an island called JAVA)
Benefits of High Level Language
I) Debugging of errors is made easy
II) They are easy to comprehend because they are closer to human language
III) They can be transferable from one computer to the other
IV) It provides the students with an ability to interact directly with computer
Disadvantages of High level language
I) It is less flexible in structure
II) Greater storage capacities and more running time is needed compared to the low level and machine language
Tests and Exercises
1. ___________ can be defined as a sets of rules given to the computer to perform a given task or operation
a. Computing b. Programming language c. Code d. Syntax Answer: Programming language
2. Which of the following is regarded as an original machine language?
a. Machine language b. English language c. Low level language d. Assembly language Answer: Machine language
3. The easiest language to understand in writing programs is known as __________
a. Low level language b. Assembly language c. High level language d. None Answer: High level language
4. Compiler is known as a __________
a. Translator b. Debugger c. Emulator d. Editor Answer: Translator
5. Which of the following is not an example of High level language?
JAVA b. COBOL c. BASIC d. ASSEMBLER Answer: ASSEMBLER
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