Overview of Programming Languages

Computer Programming The functions of a computer system are controlled by computer programs. A computer program is a clear, step-by-step, finite set of instructions A computer program must be clear so that only one meaning can be derived from it, A computer program is written in a computer language called a programming language Programming Languages There are three categories of programming languages: 1. 2. . Machine languages. Assembly languages. !igh-level languages.

Machine languages and assembly languages are also called low-level languages Machine language : A Machine language program consists of a se"uence of #eros and ones. $ach %ind of &'( has its own machine language. Advantages : )ast and efficient *o translation re"uired Disadvantages : *ot portable *ot programmer friendly Machine oriented

Assembly Language : Assembly language programs use mnemonics to represent machine instructions

$ach statement in assembly language corresponds to one statement in machine language. Assembly language programs have the same advantages and disadvantages as machine language programs. &ompare the following machine language and assembly language programs: M+, A- , var1 A.. A- , var2 M+, var1 , A1/1/ ///1 //// //// //// //// //// //11 //// /11/ //// //// //// //1/ 1/1/ //11 //// //// //// //// 0/01 Assembly program for var1 2 var1 3 var2 4 0/01 Machine language program for var1 2 var1 3 var2 4 igh-Level Programming Languages A high-level language 5!667 language program consists of $nglish-li%e statements that are governed by a strict synta8. Advantages : 'ortable or machine independent 'rogrammer-friendly Disadvantages : *ot as efficient as low-level languages *eed to be translated

$8amples : &, &33, 9ava, )+:T:A*, ,isual ;asic, and .elphi.