Classification of Computer Languages

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 which 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 level 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 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 2.Assembly Language
# Machine Language
This is the only language understood directly by the computer. It the language of 0’ and 1’ i.e . Binary number. It is machine dependent. It is difficult to learn and write program in.

# Assembly Language

t is 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. 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.

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