Generations of Programming Languages

Programming languages have evolved significantly over time, moving from fundamental machine-specific code to complex languages that are simpler to write and understand. There are five generations of Programming languages. They are:  

1. First-Generation Language :

The first-generation languages are also called machine languages/ 1G language. This language is machine-dependent. The machine language statements are written in binary code (0/1 form) because the computer can understand only binary language.

Advantages :

1. Fast & efficient as statements are directly written in binary language.

2. No translator is required.

Disadvantages :

1.  Difficult to learn binary codes.

2. Difficult to understand - both programs & where the error occurred.

2. Second Generation Language :

The second-generation languages are also called assembler languages/ 2G languages. Assembly language contains human-readable notations that can be further converted to machine language using an assembler.

Assembler - converts assembly level instructions to machine-level instructions.

Programmers can write the code using symbolic instruction codes that are meaningful abbreviations of mnemonics. It is also known as low-level language.

Advantages :

1. It is easier to understand if compared to machine language.

2. Modifications are easy.

3. Correction & location of errors are easy.

Disadvantages :

1. Assembler is required.

2. This language is architecture /machine-dependent, with a different instruction set for different machines.

3. Third-Generation Language :

The third generation is also called procedural language /3 GL. It consists of the use of a series of English-like words that humans can understand easily, to write instructions. It's also called High-Level Programming Language. For execution, a program in this language needs to be translated into machine language using a Compiler/ Interpreter. Examples of this type of language are C, PASCAL, FORTRAN, COBOL, etc.

Advantages :

1. Use of English-like words makes it a human-understandable language.

2. Lesser number of lines of code as compared to the above 2 languages.

3. Same code can be copied to another machine & executed on that machine by using compiler-specific to that machine.

Disadvantages :

1. Compiler/ interpreter is needed.

2. Different compilers are needed for different machines.

4. Fourth Generation Language :

The fourth-generation language is also called a non - procedural language/ 4GL. It enables users to access the database. Examples: SQL, Foxpro, Focus, etc.

These languages are also human-friendly to understand.

Advantages :

1. Easy to understand & learn.

2. Less time is required for application creation.

3. It is less prone to errors.

Disadvantages :

1. Memory consumption is high.

2. Has poor control over Hardware.

3. Less flexible.

5. Fifth Generation Language :

The fifth-generation languages are also called 5GL. It is based on the concept of artificial intelligence. It uses the concept that rather than solving a  problem algorithmically, an application can be built to solve it based on some constraints, i.e., we make computers learn to solve any problem. Parallel Processing & superconductors are used for this type of language to make real artificial intelligence.

Examples: PROLOG, LISP, etc.

Advantages :

1. Machines can make decisions.

2. Programmer effort reduces to solve a problem.

3. Easier than 3GL or 4GL to learn and use.

Disadvantages :

1. Complex and long code.

2. More resources are required & they are expensive too.