Question 2
Critically discuss the different levels of programming languages
Generation of Programming Languages
There are five generations of Programming languages. And these are;
First-Generation Languages:
These are low-level languages like machine language.
Second-Generation Languages:
These are low-level assembly languages used in kernels and hardware
drives.
Third-Generation Languages:
These are high-level languages like C, C++, Java, Visual Basic, and
JavaScript.
Fourth Generation Languages:
These are languages that consist of statements that are similar to
statements in the human language. These are used mainly in database
programming and scripting. Examples of these languages include Perl,
Python, Ruby, SQL, and Mat Lab (Matrix Laboratory).
Fifth Generation Languages:
These are the programming languages that have visual tools to develop a
program. Examples of fifth-generation languages include Mercury,
OPS5, and Prolog.
The first two generations are called low-level languages. The next three
generations are called high-level languages.
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. It was fast & efficient as statements are directly written in binary
language.
2. it requires no translator.
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 were made easy.
3. Correction & location of errors are easy.
Disadvantages:
1. It requires an assembler to translate from assembly to machine 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, and
COBOL.
Advantages:
1. It uses English-like words that makes it a human-understandable
language.
2. It uses lesser number of lines of code as compared to the first
generation and second generation languages.
3. Same code can be copied to another machine & executed on that
machine by using compiler-specific to that machine.
4. it supports structured programming techniques such as loops,
conditions statements, subroutines, making code more organized and
maintainable.
5.it has better handling of errors as they have inbuilt error handling
mechanisms making it easy to debug and maintain code
Disadvantages:
1. Compiler/ interpreter is needed.
2. Different compilers are needed for different machines.
3.they are error prone for example errors may not be detected in runtime.
4. limited support for high level abstractions this because they may not
have built in support for high level abstractions such as data structures
and algorithms
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. It is easy to understand & learn.
2. It uses less time required for application creation.
3. It is less prone to errors compared to third generation languages
4. They are designed to rapid prototyping and development, reducing the
time and effort required to create applications.
5. Fourth generation includes features like automatic code generation,
visual programming and drag and drop interfaces which increases
developer productivity.
Disadvantages:
1. Memory consumption is high.
2. Has poor control over Hardware.
3. It is less flexible.
4. Fourth generation has less control over low level details, which can
limit their use in systems or embedded systems.
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, OPS5, SQL. 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.
5. The fifth generation has high level abstractions allowing developers to
focus on problem solving rather than implementation details.
Disadvantages:
1. It uses Complex and long codes.
2. More resources are required & they are expensive too.
3. Fifth generation are often tied to specific vendors or platforms which
can limit portability and flexibility.
