GCSE J277 Unit 2.
5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
Name:
Specification & learning objectives
By the end of this topic you will have studied:
• Characteristics and purpose of different levels of programming language: High-level languages, Low-level languages
• The purpose of translators
• The characteristics of a compiler and an interpreter
• Common tools and facilities available in an IDE: Editors, Error diagnostics, Run-time environment, Translators
Resources
We recommend the OCR endorsed text book from PG Online for use during your GCSE studies.
Craig'n'Dave videos for SLR 2.5
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
Characteristics and purpose of different levels of programming
language
High level language Low level language
Example language:
Purpose:
Characteristic 1
Instructions to machine
code:
Characteristic 2
Types of processors:
Characteristic 3
Data structures:
Characteristic 4
Ease of coding:
Characteristic 5
Memory efficiency:
Characteristic 6
Speed of execution:
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
Characteristics and purpose of different levels of programming
language
Advantages of programming in low-level languages are:
Disadvantages of programming in low-level languages are:
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
Example of a program in a high and low level language
High level language Low level language
Python: Assembly:
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
The relationship between machine code and assembly language
Low-level language means:
Machine code means:
The difference between machine code and assembly languages: Hierarchy of languages:
Low-level languages
Hardware
Machine code
High-level languages
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
The purpose of translators
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
The characteristics of an assembler, a compiler and an interpreter
Compiler Interpreter
Description:
Feature:
Ease of writing code:
Impact of changing code:
Designed for a specific type of processor: Yes/No Yes/No
Need for translation software at run-time: Yes/No Yes/No
Speed of code execution: Quick/Slow Quick/Slow
Optimised code: Yes/No Yes/No
Source code is kept secret: Yes/No Yes/No
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
Common tools and facilities available in an integrated development
environment (IDE)
Other IDEs may provide:
• Code completion: suggesting variable names making it quicker to
code.
• Automatic indenting of selections and iterations.
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
Assessment Target: Overall grade:
Minimum expectations by the end of this unit
You should have learnt terms 224-231 from your GCSE Level Key Terminology during this unit.
You have completed all the pages of the workbook
Score 80% in the end of unit test.
Feedback
Breadth Depth Understanding
All aspects complete Excellent level of depth All work is accurate
Most aspects complete Good level of depth Most work is accurate
Some aspects complete Basic level of depth shown Some work is accurate
Little work complete Little depth and detail provided Little work is accurate
Comment & action Student response
GCSE J277 Unit 2.5 | Programming languages and IDEs Craig’n’Dave
Reflection & Revision checklist
Confidence Clarification
I can explain what a low level language is.
I can explain the characteristics and purpose of low level languages.
I can explain what a high level language is.
I can explain the characteristics and purpose of high level languages.
I can explain what the purpose of a translator is.
I can explain what an interpreter is used for and how it differs from a compiler.
I can explain what a compiler is used for and how it differs from an interpreter.
I can explain the following tool / facility of an integrated development environment (IDE): editors.
I can explain the following tool / facility of an integrated development environment (IDE): error diagnostics.
I can explain the following tool / facility of an integrated development environment (IDE): run-time environment.
I can explain the following tool / facility of an integrated development environment (IDE): translators.
My revision focus will need to be:
