Language Types Flashcards
What is a Low Level Language?
This can be referred to as machine code and assembly language.
What is Machine Code?
It is a set of instructions that a CPU (central processing unit) which is the computer’s brain, understands directly and can act upon. A program written in machine code would consist of only 0s and 1s. This language is called binary. It is very difficult to code and debug.
Does a computer convert a Higher Level Language into a Lower Level Language to understand it?
Yes.
What is an Assembly Language?
It is in between machine code and higher level languages in terms of ease of use. It uses mnemonics e.g. short abbreviations to process code. E.g. LDA - Loads a value from a memory address.
What is a High Level Language?
This is a language that is close to natural human language. It uses statements to form instructions e.g. Get-Help in PowerShell and Print in Python.
What is Event Driven Scripting?
When an application is created to respond to user events. E.g. it is triggered by the user such as by hovering a mouse to a navigation bar. It enhances the user’s engagement.
What is Object Orientated Programming (OOP)?
It is a computer programming model that organises software design around data or objects rather than functions and logic. An object can be defined as a data field that has unique attributes and behaviour.
What is a Compiled Programming Language?
It is one whose implementations are typically compiled (translators that generate machine code from source before its executed). E.g. C# and Visual Basic. Compiled code is also known as Execution Binaries e.g. exe. It’s changed before it translates into machine code. So these programs run faster.
What are two advantages of Compiled Programming Languages?
- They give the developer more control over hardware aspects like CPU usage and memory management.
- These languages are converted directly into machine code which makes programs that uses them faster.
What is an Interpreted Programming Language?
It translates to machine code as soon as you click run. E.g. JavaScript, Python and Ruby.
What is a disadvantage of Interpreted Programming Languages?
They can be slow to execute because they can be susceptible to code injection attacks. They run through a program line by line.
What is Procedural Programming?
It directly instructs a device on how to finish a task in logical steps. Like a set of instructions. It divides the program into procedures which are known as routines or functions. It uses a linear top down approach.
