[SSC II] Computer Science SLO 8.1.3

Computer Science SSC II Notes - AKUEB

8.1.3 Differentiate among the following levels of programming languages:

a. Low-Level Languages:

Low-level languages are programming languages that are closer to the hardware and provide a direct representation of machine instructions. They are designed to be easily understood and executed by the computer's hardware. Low-level languages include:

         i. Machine Language

                        Machine language is the lowest-level programming language. It uses binary code consisting of 0s and 1s to represent instructions that can be directly executed by the computer's central processing unit (CPU). Each instruction corresponds to a specific operation performed by the hardware.

         ii. Assembly Language:

                       Assembly language is a low-level programming language that uses mnemonic codes or symbols to represent machine instructions. These mnemonics are more human-readable and serve as a symbolic representation of the underlying machine code. Assembly language requires an assembler to convert the code into machine language.

 

b. High-Level Languages:

High-level languages are programming languages that provide a higher level of abstraction from the hardware. They are designed to be closer to natural language and allow programmers to write code more easily. High-level languages include:

               i. Procedural Language:

                           Procedural languages focus on procedures or routines to structure code. They use functions, subroutines, and procedures to break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable parts. Procedural languages emphasize step-by-step execution and provide control structures like loops and conditionals.

          ii. Structured Language:

                            Structured languages build upon procedural languages and enforce structured programming principles. They use blocks, modules, and structured control flow constructs to organize code and improve readability. Structured languages follow principles such as single entry-single exit and discourage the use of GOTO statements.

         iii. Object - Oriented Language:

                             Object-oriented languages organize code around objects, which encapsulate data and behavior. They emphasize concepts such as classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism. Object-oriented languages enable modular programming, code reuse, and support real-world modeling.

 

In summary, low-level languages are closer to the hardware, directly representing machine instructions, while high-level languages provide abstractions and are closer to natural language, making programming easier for developers. Each level has its own advantages and is suitable for different purposes and applications.

Cognitive Level: Understanding