Classification Of Programming Languages
Overview
A processor understands one thing: patterns of bits that name an operation and the data it acts on. It has never seen a variable, a loop or the word IF. Everything you have written on this course had to be turned into those bit patterns before anything happened, and something did the turning.
This lesson is about the ladder between what you write and what the machine runs. You will meet the two levels of programming language that the specification names, low-level and high-level, and the two low-level forms, machine code and assembly language, which have a one-to-one correspondence with each other. You will learn why machine code is expressed in binary and is specific to a processor or family of processors, why almost every program is nevertheless written in a high-level language, and what the three common types of translator do: the interpreter, the compiler and the assembler.
Objectives
- Know that there are different levels of programming language:
- low-level language
- high-level language.
- Explain the main differences between low-level and high-level languages. Know that machine code and assembly language are considered to be low-level languages and explain the differences between them.
- Understand that ultimately all programming code written in high-level or assembly languages must be translated into machine code. Understand that machine code is expressed in binary and is specific to a processor or family of processors. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of low-level language programming compared with high-level language programming. Understand that there are three common types of program translator:
- interpreter
- compiler
- assembler.
- Explain the main differences between these three types of translator. Understand when it would be appropriate to use each type of translator.
Mind map
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Classification Of Programming Languages. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which of these is a low-level language? A. Assembly language B. C# C. Python 3 D. Visual Basic Answer: A
- Machine code is: A. Expressed in binary and specific to a processor or family B. The same on every type of processor C. Written using English-like keywords D. Translated by an interpreter before it can run Answer: A
- Which translator converts assembly language into machine code? A. An assembler B. A compiler C. An interpreter D. A linker Answer: A
- Which statement about an interpreter is correct? A. It translates the whole program before any of it runs B. It produces an executable file that can be run later C. It translates and carries out one statement at a time D. It is not needed on the machine that runs the program Answer: C
- What is meant by saying that assembly language has a one-to-one correspondence with machine code? A. Each assembly instruction becomes one machine code instruction B. Assembly language and machine code look identical C. Each assembly program produces one file D. Assembly language runs at the same speed as a high-level language Answer: A
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