language levels Flashcards
describe the three reasons why programmers use high level languages
- uses code similar to a natural human language
- this makes it easier to understand and use the language
- using high-level languages leads to fewer errors
- allows for more powerful and complex commands compared to low level
explain one limitation of using high-level language
language must be translated into machine code (binary) before it can be run as high level languages cannot be executed directly by the CPU
describe a key difference between low-level languages and high-level languages
high level language uses code written in a way that is similar to a natural human language making it easier to understand and use
low-level languages do not closely resemble a natural human language making it harder for humans to understand and write in
give examples of popular high level languages
python
c + +
java
visual basic
describe low - level language
- does not closely resemble a natural human language
- this makes it harder for humans to understand and write in
- used when a program must be executed quickly or when programmers need to write code that interacts differently with the hardware, such as device drivers
Machine code
- pur binary code that computers can directly process and execute
- extremely tedious and difficult for humans to understand and write machine code
- can be used to perform a very specific command
- executed faster than high level languages as it is already in a format the CPU can execute
- and does not need to be translated
what are the two types of low-level language ?
machine code
assembly language
Assembly language
- uses specialised command mnemonics to perform actions
- easier to understand and spot errors over machine code
- faster to execute than high-level languages
- can be used to directly control the CPU
when are low-level languages used ?
when a program must be executed quickly
when programmers need to write code that interact directly with hardware, such as device drivers
