- To write a program, we require a computer language.
- Types of computer languages are:
Machine Language
- It is the lowest level of programming language.
- Machine languages are the only languages understood by computers.
- While easily understood by computers, machine languages are almost impossible for us to use because they consist entirely of numbers.
- It is machine dependent language.
Assembly Language
- Assembly language uses symbolic codes or mnemonics as instruction.
- Examples of symbolic codes are:
- ADD (addition)
- SUB (subtraction)
- LDA (load accumulator)
- STA (store accumulator)
- The processing of an assembly language program is done by using a language translator called assembler that translates assembly language code into machine code.
High Level Languages
- High level languages (HLL) are much closer to English-like language.
- High level languages (HLL) were developed to overcome large time consumption and cost in developing machine and assembly languages.
- A separate language translator is required to translate HLL computer programs into machine readable object code.