Generations of Programming Languages

 

Programming languages have evolved over time into several levels or generations, ranging from "low" to "high"

  1. Lower Level Languages are closer to machine language - 0s and 1s making up bits and bytes.
  2. Higher Level Languages are closer to human language such as English.

  

  

The five generations of programming language are:

  1. First Generation - Machine Language
    1. Data represented in Is and Os - written in machine language.
    2. All machine language coding is made up of bits and bytes.
    3. Hard to code and understand.
    4. Example of machine language:
      • 111IOO1OOO111OO11111O1O1OOO1OOOOO1O
      • 1OOOOOI1
          
  2. Second Generation - Assembly Language
    1. Uses abbreviations or mnemonics to represent instruction code.
    2. This type of coding is easier for human beings to remember and use than machine language.
    3. Example of assembly language:
      • ADD 210(8,1 3),02B(4,7)
          
  3. Third Generation - High-Level Procedural Languages
    1. English-like programming languages such as BASIC, Pascal, C, COBOL, and FORTRAN.
    2. Designed to express the logic that can solve general problems.
    3. Must be translated into machine language so the computer can understand it.
    4. Program translation can take two forms:
      1. Compiler
        • Converts high-level program (source code) into machine language code (object code).
        • Object code can be saved and run later.
          Examples: COBOL, FORTRAN, and Pascal.
      2. Interpreter
        • Converts the high-level program into machine language code, one statement at a time.
        • Does not save translated code.
          Example: standard version of BASIC
    5. The principal high-level procedural languages are:
      1. Ada
        • Named after Augusta Ada, an English countess regarded as the first programmer.
        • Developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Defense.
        • Originally designed for weapons systems.
        • Has commercial uses as well.
        • Uses structured design with modules.
      2. BASIC - Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code
        • A popular microcomputer language.
        • Easy to learn - suited to both beginning and experienced programmers.
        • Can be used in interactive programming.
        • Visual Basic is the newest version created by Microsoft Corporation.
      3. C/C++
        • A general-purpose language that also works well with microcomputers
        • Useful for writing operating systems, spreadsheet programs, database programs, and scientific applications.
        • Produces programs that can be run on a variety of computers.
        • C++ is a version of C that incorporates object-oriented technologies.
      4. COBOL - COmmon Business-Oriented Language
        • A frequently used business programming language.
        • Harder to learn than BASIC.
        • Its logic is easier to understand.
        • Uses similar to writing an outline with sentences, clauses, paragraphs, etc.
      5. FORTRAN - FORmula TRANslation
        • Widely used scientific and mathematical language.
          • Useful for processing complex formulas.
        • Many scientific and engineering programs are written in this language.
      6. HTML - HyperText Markup Language
        • Not strictly a programming language.
        • Consists of statements or tags that are saved in document files.
        • Browsers interpret HTML documents to display Web pages.
        • HTML documents can provide links to other Web pages, audio, video and graphic files.
      7. Java
        • One of the newest programming languages used on the Internet.
        • Can add animation and interest to web pages.
          • Java programs are called Applets and can run on any system.
        • Can be used to develop general-application software.
      8. PASCAL
        • Named after Blaise Pascal, a 17th century French mathematician.
        • Widely used on microcomputers.
        • Easy to learn.
        • Popular language in computer science educational programs.
        • Encourages programmers to follow structured coding procedure.
            
  4. Fourth Generation - Problem-Oriented Languages
    1. Also known as very high level languages.
    2. Require little special training on the part of the user.
    3. Designed to solve specific problems.
    4. Problem-oriented languages also include:
      1. Query Languages
        Enable nonprogrammers to use certain easily understood commands to search and generate reports from a database.
      2. Applications Generators
        Software with logically related program statements that have been preprogrammed to accomplish various tasks.
      3. Examples: Lotus 1-2-3, dBase, Excel, Access are considered flexible fourth-generation languages that use query languages and applications generators.
          
  5. Fifth Generation - Natural Languages
    1. Still being developed.
    2. Designed to give people a more human connection with computers.
    3. Uses human languages such as English, French, Japanese, etc.
    4. Will enable a computer to "learn" information, as people do, and improve upon it. 
    5. An extremely challenging area.

  

  

<  Previous Page                                         Next Page >