Understanding Programming Languages

Programming Languages and It's Types

What are programming languages?

A set of a symbols, words and codes used to write a program is called Programming language. There are different types of programming languages to write different types of programs. Some languages are used to write business programs and the other languages are used to write scientific programs.

There are Two Types of programming languages:

1. Low-Level Languages

1. High-Level Languages

Low-Level Languages:

A language that is easy to understand for computer hardware and far from human language is called Low-Level Languages. To write a program in low-level languages requires a deep knowledge of internal structure of computer hardware.

There are two types of Low-Level Languages:

1. Machine Language
2. Assembly Language

Machine Language:

A type of language in which instruction are written in binary form is called Machine Language. This is the only language that computer understand directly. Program which are written in machine language are execute very quickly by computer. It is a fundamental language of computer. Every computer has it's own machine language. Machine language is also know as "The First Generation Language". 

Assembly Language:

Assembly language is one step higher then the machine language. In assembly language symbols are used instead the binary code. It is also known as Symbolic Language. These symbols are called Mnemonics. For Example, Sub is used to subtract the two numbers.

Programs written in assembly language is easier to understand and modify. Assembly language is mostly used to write the system software. Assembly language is also known as "The Second Generation Language".   

 High-Level Languages:

 A type of language that is near to human understanding is called High-Level Language. Instructions of these languages are written in English-like words such as Input and Output etc.

High-Level languages are futher divided into following categories:

•  Procedural Languages

• Object-Oriented Languages

• Non-Procedural Languages

Procedural Languages:

In procedural languages, program is predefined set of instructions. Each instruction in these languages tell the computer what to do and how to do. Computer executes these instructions in the same sequence in which instructions are written. Procedural languages are also known as 3GL or Third Generation Languages.

Some popular languages are the following:

• FORTRAN

• BASIC

• COBOL

• PASCAL

• C

FORTRAN:

FORTRAN stand for FORmula TRANslation. It is mainly used for engineering applications and scientific use.

BASIC:

BASIC stand for Beginner All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. BASIC is created in late 1960. BASIC is mainly used by students to solve the simple problems. It is widely used for education purpose.

COBOL:

COBOL Stand for Common Business Oriented Language. It was developed in early 1960s. It is specifically design for business application. The programs written in COBOL are lengthy but easy to read, write and maintain.

PASCAL:

PASCAL is used for both scientific and business applications. It's name was assigned in the honor of a French mathematician Pascal.

C:

.C is known as middle-level language because it provides the facilities to write applications software as well as system software. C language is a popular high-level language. It was developed by Dennis Ritche at AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1972. It was written as a part of UNIX operating system.

Object-Oriented Languages:

OOP is a technique in which programs are written on the basis of object is a collection of data and functions. Object may represent a person, thing or place in real world. OOP programs are easier to learn and modify. In OOP, data and all possible functions on data are grouped together. C++ and Java are popular object-oriented languages.

C++:

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

Java:

Java was developed by Sun Microsystems and released in 1995. Java is a high-level language. It was developed to control the microprocessors used in VCR, toasters and cable receivers etc. It provides powerful capabilities of network programming, internet applications and graphical user interface (GUI).

Non-Procedural Languages:

In Non-procedural languages, user only needs to tell the computer "what to do" not "how to do". These languages accelerate program process and reduce coding errors. An important advantage of non-procedural languages is that they can be used by non-technical user to perform a specific task. Non-procedural languages are also known as fourth generation languages or 4GL. 4GL are normally used in database applications and report generation.

Some important non-procedural languages are as follows:

• SQL
• RPG

SQL:

SQL stands for Structure Query Language. SQL was developed by IBM. It is a national standard by the American National Standard Institute (ANSII). It is the most popular database query language. SQL works with database programs like MS Access, DB2, Informix, MS SQL Server, Oracle etc.

RPG:

RPG stands for Report Program Generator. It was developed in early 1960s by IBM. It is mostly used with IBM mid-range computers. It is used to generate business reports.