4th Class Computers Science A brief about Computer Languages High Level Programming Languages (HLL)

     High Level Programming Languages (HLL)

Machine language and assembly language are machine dependent. Each time we need to change code according to the requirement of machines. Therefore, the need for a new type of language arose. The 3rd generation programming languages (also known as High Level Programming languages) were designed to suit the requirements of the programmer. These are independent of the internal machine code of any particular computer. High level languages are used to solve problems and are often described as problem-oriented languages.  

OBOL is used to write programs solving business problems and FORTRAN is used or programs solving scientific and mathematical problems. Other examples include Java, C++, Python, BASIC, Pascal, etc. A programming language that is machine-independent is called a "high-level" language. It lets the programmer concentrate on the logic of the problem to be solved rather than the details of the machine architecture required with low-level assembly languages. HLL is a programming language in which instructions are written in a language that resembles human language. It has human sounding words and syntax (like words in a sentence). These normally use statements consisting of English-like keywords such as "FOR", "PRINT" or "GOTO", where each statement corresponds to several machine language instructions. It is much easier to program in a high- level language than in assembly language though the efficiency of execution depends on how good the compiler or interpreter is at optimizing the program. In order for the computer to understand any HLL, a compiler translates the high level language into either assembly language or machine code. All programming languages need to be eventually translated into machine code for a computer to use the instructions they contain. The most useful aspect of an HLL (High Level Language) is that the language is written in a form you can easily understand - there are no cryptic assembler commands to remember and most commands are made up of several machine code instructions which save coding effort.  

   Advantages of HLL:

• Resemblance to commonly used English Language
• Easy to learn and use
• Easy documentation
• Modifications can be done more easily
• Independent of the structure of the computer
• Error detection and reporting  

 Fill in the blanks:

1. The 3rd generation programming languages are also known as _____ programming languages.

2. In HLL, a ______ translates the high level language into machine code.

3. HLL is a programming language in which instructions are written in a language that resembles ________.  

(A) Low level, Interpreter, Machine language

(B) High level, Compiler, Human language

(C) Medium level. Assembler, Machine code

(D) High level, Interpreter, Human language

(E) Low level, Compiler, Machine language  

Answer: (b)

Explanation

Correct Option:

(B) Options given in (B) are correct.

Incorrect Options:

(A) Options given in (A) are incorrect.

(C) Options given in (C) are incorrect.

(D) Options given in (D) are incorrect.

(E) Options given in (E) are incorrect.    

 Teacher asked Ronny and Mary- 'what is High Level Language Read their answer and identify who is correct.

Ronny: A high level language is a programming language that is machine- independent. It lets the programmer concentrate on the logic of the problem to be solved rather than the details of the machine architecture required with low-level assembly languages.

Mary: A High Level Language is a programming language in which instructions are written in a language that resembles human language. It has human sounding words and syntax.

(A) Ronny is correct                                       

(B) Mary is correct

(C) Both of them are partially correct     

(D) Both are correct

(E) None of these  

Answer: (d)

Explanation

Correct Option:

(D) Answer given by both are correct.

Incorrect Options:

(A) Not only Ronny is correct but Mary is also correct. Therefore, option (A) is incorrect.

(B) Not only Mary is correct but Ronny is also correct. Therefore, option (B) is incorrect.

(C) Both of them are fully correct. Therefore, option (C) is incorrect.

(E) Both of them are correct. Therefore, option (E) is incorrect.  

• The first high-level programming language to be designed for a computer was Plankalkul, created by Konrad Zuse.
• The earliest programming languages were used to direct the behavior of machines such as Jacquard looms and player pianos.  

• Programming Language: Is a series of instructions that create software.
• Binary language: A term used to describe a basic form of computer code which consists of ones and zeros, typically in groups of eight or sixteen characters.
• Assembly language: A type of low-level language for programming computers, microprocessors and integrated circuits. They implement a symbolic representation of the numeric machine code and other constants needed to program a particular CPU architecture.  

• A computer language is the means by which instructions and data retransmitted to computers. Thus, computer languages are the interface between a computer and a human being. Computer scientists find it far more efficient to communicate with computers in a higher level language than a low level language.
• Resources on Net: http://www.wikipedia.org
• Related Topics Generations of Computers - Chapter 1  

    Abbreviations

HLL             -          High-Level Programming Language

LLL              -          Low-Level Programming Language

GUI            -          Graphic User Interface

1GL            -          First Generation Language

2GL            -          Second Generation Language

3GL            -          Third Generation Language

4GL            -          Fourth Generation Language

LDA            -          Load Accumulator