What is Programming Languages

What is Programming Languages

A set of words, symbols and codes used to write programs is called language.

Different programming languages are available for writing different types of programs.

                                         

There are two types of computer programming languages:

1.Low-level languages

2.High-level languages

1 Low Level Languages

These languages are near to computer hardware and far from human languages

Computer can understand these languages easily. Writing a program in low-level language

requires a deep knowledge of the internal structure of computer hardware.

 Two type low level language

1.machine language

2.assembly language.

1. Machine Language

A type of language in which instructions are written in binary form is called machine

language. It is the only language that is directly understood by the computer• It is the

fundamental language of the computer.

Program written in machine language can be executed very fast by the COmputer

Programs written in machine language are machine-dependent. Every computer has its own

machine language. Machine language is difficult to understand. Writing and modifying

program in machine language takes a lot Of time• Machine language is also known as first

generation language.

2. Assembly Language

Assembly language is a low-level language. It is one step higher than machine

language. In assembly language, symbols are used instead of binary code. These symbols are

called mnemonics. For example Sub instruction is used to subtract two numbers.

Assembly language is also called symbolic language. Programs written in assembly

language are easier to write and modify than machine language. Assembly language is

mostly used for writing system software. Assembly language is also known as second generation language.

2 High Level Languages

A type of language that is close to human languages is called high level language.

High-level languages are easy to understand. Instructions of these languages are written in

English-like words such as input and print etc.

A program written in high-level language is easier to write and modify. High-level

languages are further divided into following categories:

• Procedural Languages

• Object-Oriented Languages

• Non-Procedural Languages

1 Procedural Languages

Procedural languages are also known as third-generation languages or 3GL. In these

languages, program is a predefined set of instructions. Computer executes these instructions

in the same sequence in which the instructions are written. Each instruction in this language

tells the computer what to do and how to do. Some host popular procedural languages are:

1. FORTRAN

FORTRAN stands for FORmula TRANslation. It is mainly used for engineering

application and scientific use.

2. BASIC

BASIC stands for Beginner All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. It was created in

tie late 1960. It was used mainly by students to use the computer for solving simple

—ems. It is easy to understand. It is widely used for education purpose.

3. COBOL

CABOL stands for Common Business Oriented Language. It is specially designed for

Business application. It was developed in early 1960s. The programs written in COBOL are

lengthy but easy to read, write and maintain.

4. PASCAL

This language is used for both scientific and business applications. Its name was

assigned in the honor Of a French mathematician Pascal.

5.C Langusge

C language is a popular high-level language. It was developed by Dennis Ritchie at

AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1972. It was written as part of UNIX operating system. It is also

known as middle-level language because it provides the facilities to write application

software as well as system software.

6.Object-Oriented Languages

OOP is a technique in which programs are written on the basis of objects. An object is a

collection of data and functions. Object may represent a person, thing or place in real world.

In OOP, data and all functions on data are grouped together. &ject oriented

programs are easier to learn and modify. C++ & Java are popular object-oriented languages.

Features of Object-Oriented Programming

Following are some features of object-oriented programming:

Objects — OOP provides the facility of programming based on objects. &ject is an

entity that consists of data and funcfions.

Classes — Classes are designs to create objects. OOP provides facility to classes

to create different objects. Properties and functions of objects are specified in classes.

Real-world Modeling — OOP is based on real-world modeling. As in real world,

things have properties and working capabilities. Similarly, objects have data and

functions. Data represents properties and functions represent working of objects.

Reusability — OOP provides ways to reuse data and code. Inheritance is a technique

that allows a programmer to use code of existing program to create new programs.

Information Hiding — OOP allows the programmer to hide important data from the

user. It is performed by encapsulation.

Polymorphism — Polymorphism is an ability of an object tn behave in multiple ways.

7.C++

C++ is an object-oriented language. It was developed in 1980 at Bell Laboratories. It is

an improved version of C language. It provides the facility of working with objects and

classes. It is very powerful language and is used to develop a variety of programs.

8.Java

Java is a high-level language. It was by Sun Microsystems. It was primarily

developed to control the microprocessors used in VCR, toasters and cable receivers etc. It

provides powerful capabilities of network programming, Internet applications and

user interface (GUI).

9.Non-Procedural Languages

Non-procedural languages are also known as fourth generation languages or 4GL. In

non-procedural languages, user only needs to tell the computer "what to do" not "how to

An important advantage of procedural languages is that they can be used by non-

technical user to perform a specific task. These languages acierate program and

reduce errors. 4GL are normally used in database applications and report generation.

Some important non-procedural languages are as follows:

important non-procedural languages are as follows:

1. SQL

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is the most popular database query

language. SQL was developed by IBM. It is a national standard by the American National

Standards Institute (ANSI). SQL works with database programs like MS Access, DB2

Informix, MS SQL server Oracle, Sybase, etc.

2. RPG

RPG stands for Report Program Generator. It was developed in early 1960s by IBM. It

IS used to generate business reports. It is a nonprocedural language. It is mostly used with

IBM mid-range computers.

10.Natural Programming Languages

Natural programming languages are also known as fifth generation languages (5GL)

or intelligent languages. Translator programs for these languages are very complex and

require a large amount Of computer resources. That is why most of these languages are still in

experimental phase.