Book 6 Chapter 1 Languages and Classification of Computers

Learning Objectives

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:

 Generations of Programming Language

 Hardware Evolution Through the Computer Generations
 Describe different types of computer
 State the limitations of computer

Let’s Connect

Recognize the following devices. Also, tell in which generation(First, Second, Third and Fourth)
it was used. Name Generation

___________________ ___________________

___________________ ___________________

___________________ ___________________

___________________ ___________________

A language is a means of communicating or expressing thoughts. To communicate

with a computer we use a language that it can understand— it is called programming
language. In order to get a job done by a computer we feed it with a set of

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instructions and data, called a program. The programs are written in different
programming languages. A programming language consists of all the symbols,
characters and usage rules that permit people to communicate with computers. The
different types of programming languages are created to serve different purposes
which could be specific such as device control or tool development, or could be used
for the development of many types of applications.

GENERATIONS OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

Programming languages have evolved over the years making it easier for
programmers to develop many innovative and useful programs. The developmental
stages of computer languages have been classified into five generations. The
languages can be largely classified into low-level and high-level languages.

Differences Between Low-level and High-level languages

Sl. No Low-level Languages High-level Languages

1. They are more of machine They are better understood by the

readable form. user.

2. They are difficult to write and They are easier to write and
compile. compile. They are better
understood by the user.

3. They are faster and use the They help the user to focus on the
memory efficiently. actual problem-solving.

The 1st and 2nd generation languages were low-level languages. The 3 rd, 4th and 5th
generation languages were high-level languages. Let us learn about the languages in detail.

1st Generation of Programming Languages

Machine language is the first generation of programming language
and the only programming language that the computer can
understand directly without translation. The language uses binary
system to represent everything in combination of 0 (false) and 1
(true).

Features
 Machine language programs have the advantage of very fast
execution and efficient usage of primary memory.
 It is a very tedious, difficult and time-consuming method of
programming.

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  It is a low-level language since the programmer must specify
every detail of an operation.

Know more

Lady Ada Lovelace is regarded as the first computer programmer.

Since a machine language works closely with the hardware, it becomes more
hardware specific or machine-dependent. This also makes the programs less
portable, i.e., they cannot be easily run on different computers without making
substantial amount of changes.

2nd Generation of Programming Languages

The first step in making software development easier and more
efficient was the creation of assembly languages. They are also
classified as low-level languages. Assembly languages use
mnemonic operation codes and symbolic addresses in place of
binary codes. A mnemonic is an alphabetical abbreviation used as a
memory aid. This means a programmer can use abbreviation
instead of remembering lengthy binary instruction codes. In a
symbolic addressing scheme, a programmer can refer and address
through a related symbol rather than the exact binary location.

Features
 Assembly languages are machine-dependent.
 A language translator program called assembler is required to
translate assembly language into machine language.
 A program before being assembled or compiled is called a
source program. This program could be in any language
other than the machine language and includes all parts of the
program including the comments or remarks. After the
assembler has translated the program into machine language
it is called object code.
 AUTOCODER, SAP and SPS are considered as 2nd generation
languages.

3rd Generation of Programming Languages

Third generation languages are also known as High-Level Languages
(HLL). These are very much like everyday text and mathematical
formulas in appearance. They are not machine-dependent and thus
easier to port. FORTRAN (Formula Translation), ALGOL (Algorithmic

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Language) and COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) are
some early examples of this language. Other examples include C,
BASIC (Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) and Pascal.

Features

 Most high-level languages are considered to be procedure-

oriented, or procedural languages, because the program
instructions comprise lists of steps, procedures, that tell the
computer not only what to do but how to do it.
 Software development is easier and less time-consuming for
the programmer working with a high-level language than a
low-level language.
 Since the computer only understands machine code,
translators are used with high-level languages. There are two
types of translators— compilers and interpreters. They convert
high-level language to machine language.
Interpreter translates line-by-line while compiler translates the
whole program at once. Some other differences between compiler
and interpreter are:

Let’s Revise

Fill in the blanks.

1. _____________translates line-by-line while compiler translates the whole program at

once.
2. ________ generation languages are also known as High-Level Languages (HLL).

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3. A language translator program called __________is required to translate assembly
language into machine language.
4. A ___________is an alphabetical abbreviation used as a memory aid.
5. The ______________language uses binary system to represent everything in
4th Generation of Programming Languages
Fourth generation languages are also known as very high-level
languages. They are closer to human language and can be
understood even by a non-programmer. Database, Visual Basic, C+
+, HTML, JAVA, Smalltalk, etc., are considered as the fourth
generation computer languages.

Features

 It is not a machine-dependent language and is very easy to use.

 A single command performs several tasks.
 It reduces the time of execution by simplifying the procedure.
 It reduces the time and cost involved in the procedure of
development of better programs applications.
 Most 4th generation languages are non-procedural.
 They are slower as compared to compiled languages.

5th Generation of Programming Languages

Natural languages represent the next step in the development of
programming languages, i.e. fifth-generation languages.
They are mainly used in Artificial Intelligence research. Artificial
Intelligence (AI) is a part of fifth generation of programming
languages. It refers to the ability of a program or a machine to think
and develop on its own. AI based machines can think like humans
and take decisions. AI is used in various machines such as self-driving
cars, robots, automation, etc. Examples of fifth generation languages include
PROLOG (Programming in Logic), OPS5 and Mercury.

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 KNOW MORE

LISP (List Processing) was a programming language

designed by John McCarthy in 1959 to approach
Artificial Intelligence and forms the basis of 5th
generation languages.

Fig.1.1: A robot

Features

 The text of a natural language very closely resembles human

speech. These languages are also designed to make computers
‘smarter’. This means that a computer is involved in finding solution
to the problem.
 They are based on problem-solving rather than following a set
of instructions written by a programmer.
 Natural languages already available for microcomputers
include Clout, Q&A, Savvy Retriever (for use with databases) and
HAL (Human Access Language).
 These are still developing.

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 Taken from pg 9 of
Icon Book 6

Classification of Computers

The computers can be classified as following:

Classfication of Computers

On Basis of Size On Basic of

functions

On the basis of size

The classification of computers is as follows:

Microcomputers

The computer that we generally see at different places like school, college’s
office and home are called microcomputers. They are small computers that are

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used by one person at a time. Microcomputers are also known as personal
computers. They can be categorized in different types:

 Desktop Computers
These are personal or micro-mini computer that is fixed on a desk.
 Laptop Computers/ Notebooks
These are generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger
than a notebook computer. They come with an integrated screen and
keyboard. They do not fix on a desk. You can easily carry them with
yourself.
 Palmtop Computers
These are hand-sized computer and have no keyboard but the screen
serves both as an input and output device. Tablets, Smartphones and
PDA are some most popular example of palmtop computers.

Desktop Laptop Tablet

Fig.1.3: Microcomputers

Minicomputers

Minicomputers are larger than microcomputers.

They are known as multiprocessing systems
which can supports up to 200 users
simultaneously. They first came in 1960s. In
1980s they were replaced by the
microcomputers which have become more
powerful and smaller with time. CDC 160A, DEC
PDP and SDS-2 are some examples of
minicomputers.

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 Fig.1.4: Minicomputer

Mainframe Computers

Mainframe computers are larger and expensive

than minicomputers, they cost more than 20
million rupees. They can support hundreds or
even thousands of users simultaneously. These
computers are used in large companies,
factories, organizations, etc. The mainframes
are able to process 1 to 8 bits at a time. They
have several hundreds of megabytes of primary
storage and operate at a speed measured in
nano second. The IBMz Enterprise and Unisys
Clear path are some examples of mainframe
Fig. 1.5: Mainframe
computers.
Computer

Supercomputers
Supercomputers are the biggest and more powerful than the mainframe
computers. They introduced in 1960s and are employed for specialized
applications that require immense amounts
of mathematical calculations. For example,
weather forecasting, fluid dynamic
calculations, nuclear energy research, and
petroleum exploration requires a
supercomputer. The major difference
between supercomputers and mainframe
computers is that a supercomputer channels
all its power into executing a few programs
as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe
uses its power to execute many programs
concurrently. Cray-I, IBM ASCI and PRAM are
some examples of supercomputers.

Fig. 1.6: Supercomputer

FACT

PARAM 8000 is considered India's first supercomputer. It was indigenously

built in 1990 by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and was
9 in 1991 under Russian collaboration.
replicated and installed at ICAD Moscow
On the basis of Functions

We have categorized the computer on the basis of technology and size. Now,
let us categorize them on the basis of their functionality. On the basis of
functionality, the classifications of computers are as follows:

Analog Computers
Analog computers were popular in the 1940s. They
process continuously varying data such as seen with
pressure and voltage. They work in parallel, i.e. can carry
out multiple tasks simultaneously and can perform
complex computations. They are larger than digital

computers, but they cannot store as much data. Analog

computers were widely used in scientific and
industrial applications where digital computers of Fig.1.7: Analog Computer
the time lacked sufficient performance.
Digital Computers
Digital computers process information in discrete
form. They operate on data including magnitudes,
letters, and symbols that are expressed in binary
form, i.e. using only the two digits 0 and 1. They
are used for business and personal applications.
They also can perform complex computations.
They are also more accurate with computations
than analog computers. Microcomputers (Desktop,
Laptop, Tablet), Minicomputers, Mainframe Fig. 1.8: Digital Computer
computers, Supercomputers are examples of
digital computers.
Hybrid Computers (Analog + Digital)
Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit
features of analog computers and digital
computers, i.e. they are capable of inputting and

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outputting in both digital and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup
offers a cost effective method of performing complex simulations. They are
widely used in hospitals to doing ECG, to measure the patient’s temperature,
blood pressure and other vital signs.

Limitation of Computers

Apart from various characteristic, computer also has some limitations as listed
below:

1. NO IQ: Computer is a machine and does not work without the instruction
of user. It is totally dependent on the human being. In short we can say
that computer does not take its own decision like human being.
2. No Feelings: Computer also does not have feelings, emotion, taste,
knowledge. It is only a programmed machine which obeys the user
instruction blindly and cannot distinguish between users.
3. Self-Care: Computer does not care itself like you can. It is dependent to
human beings for this purpose also.

Summary

 A language is a means of communicating or expressing thoughts.

 The computer languages can be largely classified into low-level and high-level
languages.

 Machine language is the first generation of programming

language and the only programming language that the
computer can understand directly without translation.
 Assembly languages use mnemonic operation codes and
symbolic addresses in place of binary codes.
 High level languages are very much like everyday text and mathematical
formulas in appearance.

 Fourth generation languages are closer to human language and

can be understood even by a non-programmer.

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  Natural languages represent the next step in the development
of programming languages, i.e. fifth-generation languages.
 Microcomputers are generally small in size and also known as personal
computers.
 Digital computers process information in discrete form, i.e., using only the
two digits 0 and 1.
Test Yourself
A. Multiple choice questions.

1. Which of the following terms signify machine language?

(a) Easy to understand (b) Machine-dependent
(c) Efficient use of computer memory
2. COBOL is an example of which of the following languages?
(a) 1st generation language (b) 2nd generation language
(c) 3rd generation language
3. Which of the following converts assembly language into machine
language?
(a) Compiler (b) Interpreter (c) Assembler
4. Which among the following converts a high-level language into machine
language?
(a) Interpreter (b) Compiler (c) Both (i) and (ii)

[Link] computers process information in:

(a) Discrete form
(b) Continuous form
(c )Both a and b

B. Fill in the blanks.

Hints: FORTRAN Binary Mnemonic procedural

0 (false), 1 (true) programming language HTML

1. ____________ is a 4th generation programming language.
2. Machine language is entirely made up of ____________ and ____________.
3. ____________ is an alphabetical abbreviation used as memory aid.
4. High-level languages are considered as ____________ languages.
5. A computer understands only ____________.

6. Digital computers works on ______________ values.

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 7. _____________is an example of high level language.

C. State True or False.

1. Digital computers process information in discrete form.
2. Machine language is a very tedious and time-consuming method of
programming.
3. Visual Basic is an assembly language.
4. Fourth generation languages are procedural languages.
5. Compiler is a translator program.

D. Match the following columns:

Column A Column B

1. a. Laptop

2. b. Supercomputer

3. c. Desktop computer

4. d. Analog computer

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 5. e. Palmtop
E. Answer the following questions.
1. Define programming language.
2. Discuss the pros of high-level languages over low-level languages.
3. How assembly language is different from machine language?
4. How has 4th generation of languages evolved from 3rd generation of
languages?
5. Define a translator. Differentiate between its different types.

[Link] Microcomputers.

F. Life Skills
1. Mini came across an old third-generation computer at her uncle’s
home while playing. Mini asked her uncle about the computer and he
said that the computers of that generation are not preferred for use
anymore. Why did he say so?
2. Discuss which generation of language should a programmer be using if he/she is
interested in developing programming tools through applications.
[Link] is a doctor. She is doing ECG of a patient. Which type of computer is she
using?
[Link] has a smartphone. Which type of computer it is called?

-------------------------------------------Activity
SESSION-------------------------------------------
Fun in Searching
A. Search and find 10 meaningful words extracted from this chapter. See
across and downwards.
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A S S E M B L E R

B C O B O L

A O B F

S H M O O

I N T E R P R E T E R

C M I T

L A L G O L R

E A

P R O G R A M N

B.

Fun in Exploring
Explore the different computer languages evolved over the years. Make a
note in the notebook.

Fun in the Lab

 Visit the computer lab and do the following
with the help of your teacher:
 Find out which computer languages are used
in your school computer lab.
 Browse through the pictures of different generations of
computers online.

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Art Integrated Project

Draw a laptop on an A4 size sheet. Label its parts like: Screen, Touchpad and
Keypad. On the laptop’s screen, draw the default screen of Windows 10.
Color it accordingly.

Teacher’s Notes

 Discuss with the students various the generations of languages to explain

the difference between past and present technologies.
 Explain the difference between analog and digital computers.

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