Module 1

Prepared by Robin Joseph

 Contents
• Memory Hierarchy
• Programming Languages
• System Software and Application Software
• Language Translators
• Structured Programming
 Memory Hierarchy
• The memory in a computer can be divided into five hierarchies based on
the speed as well as use. The processor can move from one level to
another based on its requirements. The five hierarchies in the memory are
registers, cache, main memory, magnetic discs, and magnetic tapes. The
first three hierarchies are volatile memories which mean when there is no
power, and then automatically they lose their stored data. Whereas the last
two hierarchies are not volatile which means they store the data
permanently.
Memory Hierarchy
 Cache Memory
• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3
 Programming Languages
• A programming language is a set of commands, instructions, and
other syntax use to create a software program. Languages that programmers
use to write code are called "high-level languages." This code can be
compiled into a "low-level language," which is recognized directly by the
computer hardware.
• High Level Language
• Assembly Language
• Low Level Language
 System Software and Application Software
• A set of instructions that tells the computer what to do
• Two main types of software
• System software
• Application software
• System software helps run the computer and coordinates instructions between
application software and the computer’s hardware devices. System software includes the
operating system, utility programs (programs often in the operating system that help
manage system resources), and device drivers.
• Application software is what you use to do tasks at home, school, and work.
 Language Translators

• Compilers
• Interpreters
• Assembler
 Compiler vs Interpreter
Compiler Interpreter
Compiler scans the whole program in one go. Translates program one statement at a time.

As it scans the code in one go, the errors (if any) Considering it scans code one line at a time, errors
are shown at the end together. are shown line by line.

Main advantage of compilers is it’s execution Due to interpreters being slow in executing the
time. object code, it is preferred less.

It does not convert source code into object code

It converts the source code into object code.
instead it scans it line by line

It does not require source code for later

It requires source code for later execution.
execution.

C, C++, C# etc. Python, Ruby, Perl etc.

 Structured Programming
• Structured programming is a programming paradigm aimed at
improving the clarity, quality, and development time of a computer
program by making extensive use of the structured control flow constructs
of selection (if/then/else) and repetition (while and for), block structures,
and subroutines.
Thanks