Levels of Language, Translators and IDE Flashcards
What are the 3 types of language a computer uses?
Machine code
Low-level language (Assembly code)
High-level language (Source code)
What are the 2 tools used to write and convert the language on a computer?
Translators
IDEs
What is machine code?
An instruction that can run inside a CPU and is in binary
What is assembly language called?
Low level language because it is almost the same as machine code
What is the instruction set of a CPU?
The complete set of commands available. Each type of CPU has its own instruction set
What are mnemonics?
The instructions within an assembly language, as they are much easier to remember than a binary number
What does assembly language consist of?
A set of mnemonic instructions, each of which has a machine code equivalent
Give an example of a machine code, followed by a mnemonic code
Machine Code - 2403
Mnemonic Code - ADD AL,3
Why is programming in assembly language difficult?
The programmer needs to know a lot about the hardware details inside the CPU
What is the disadvantage with writing in assembly code?
The code only works on a specific CPU family, so if you use a different CPU, you need to rewrite the code using a different version of assembly language
What is the main advantage with writing in assembly code?
Programs in Assembly run much faster compared to programs written in a high level language, because there is less code overall
Give an example of a program that is typically written in assembly
Device driver, used to directly control hardware such as a graphics card
Why were high level languages developed?
In order to make programming a lot easier for people, compared to coding in assembly language
What 2 main features does high level language have?
It has a set of keywords such as PRINT or IF
It has a set of grammar rules (syntax) which define how to combine them correctly
What does a programmer write in?
Source code (programming code) using the allowed set of keywords and its syntax rules
Give 2 examples of high level language code
Python
Java