Low-level computer languages are either machine codes or are very close them.
A computer cannot understand instructions given to it in high-level languages or in
English.
It can only understand and execute instructions given in the form of machine
language i.e. binary.
There are two types of low-level languages:
Machine Language: a language that is directly interpreted into the hardware
Assembly Language: a slightly more user-friendly language that directly
corresponds to machine language
Machine language is the lowest and most elementary level of
programming language and was the first type of programming
language to be developed.
Machine language is basically the only language that a
computer can understand and it is usually written in hex.
In fact, a manufacturer designs a computer to obey just one
language, its machine code, which is represented inside the
computer by a string of binary digits (bits) 0 and 1.
The symbol 0 stands for the absence of an electric pulse
1 stands for the presence of an electric pulse.
Advantages Disadvantages
Machine language makes fast and All operation codes have to be
efficient use of the computer. remembered
It requires no translator to translate All memory addresses have to
the code. It is directly understood be remembered.
by the computer.
It is hard to amend or find
errors in a program written in
the machine language.
Assembly language was developed to overcome some of the many inconveniences
of machine language.
This is another low-level but very important language in which operation codes and
operands are given in the form of alphanumeric symbols instead of 0’s and l’s.
These alphanumeric symbols are known as mnemonic codes and can combine in a
maximum of five-letter combinations e.g. ADD for addition, SUB for subtraction,
START, LABEL etc. Because of this feature, assembly language is also known as
‘Symbolic Programming Language.'
The instructions of the assembly language are converted to machine codes by a
language translator and then they are executed by the computer.
Advantages Disadvantages
Assembly language is
Like machine language, it is
easier to understand and
also machine
use as compared to
dependent/specific.
machine language.
Since it is machine
It is easy to locate and dependent, the programmer
correct errors. also needs to understand
the hardware.
It is easily modified.
High-level computer languages use formats that are similar to English.
The purpose of developing high-level languages was to enable people
to write programs easily, in their own native language environment
(English).
High-level languages are basically symbolic languages that use English
words and/or mathematical symbols rather than mnemonic codes.
Each instruction in the high-level language is translated into many
machine language instructions that the computer can understand.
Advantages Disadvantages
A high-level language has to be
High-level languages are user-friendly translated into the machine language
by a translator, which takes up time
They are easier to learn
They are easier to maintain
They are problem-oriented rather than
'machine'-based
A program written in a high-level language
can be translated into many machine
languages and can run on any computer
for which there exists an appropriate
translator
The language is independent of the
machine on which it is used
Types of High-Level Languages
1) Algebraic Formula-Type Processing
These languages are oriented towards the computational procedures for solving mathematical and statistical problems.
Examples include:
BASIC (Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)
FORTRAN (Formula Translation)
PL/I (Programming Language, Version 1)
ALGOL (Algorithmic Language)
APL (A Programming Language)
2. Business Data Processing
These languages are best able to maintain data processing procedures and problems involved in handling files. Some
examples include:
COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language)
RPG (Report Program Generator)
3. String and List Processing
These are used for string manipulation, including search patterns and inserting and deleting characters. Examples are:
LISP (List Processing)
Prolog (Program in Logic)
4. Object-Oriented Programming Language
In OOP, the computer program is divided into objects. Examples are:
C++
Java
5. Visual Programming Language
These programming languages are designed for building Windows-based applications.
Examples are:
Visual Basic
Visual Java
Visual C
