Programming languages Flashcards
List two types of low level languages
machine language
assembly language
machine language (4)
processors only understand instructions written in 1s and 0s
computer programs are in binary form at the processing level
this is known as machine code or machine language
it is a low level language
assembly language (3)
low level language
each instruction is directly equivalent to one in machine code
words called mnemonics are used to replace the command represented as strings of binary in machine code
e.g. ADD is a mnemonic used to replace the binary command to add numbers together
high level language (4)
high level languages are programming languages that resemble human languages
they use key words, such as ‘print’, or ‘then’
they address the programming logic rather than dealing with hardware issues such as memory addressing
most programs are written in high level languages
use of low level languages (3)
- assembly language is often used in programs in embedded systems (cameras, microwaves) as it can be used to directly control system hardware
- they are used to write device drivers and real-time systems where speed is essential
-assembly languages are specific to each type of CPU
programs written for one type cannot be used on others
- embedded systems - directly controls hardware
- device drivers/real-time systems, speed
- specific to types of CPU
use of high level language (3)
-most software is developed using a high level language
it is less time consuming to write and quicker to test
- programs are portable from one machine to another
- most of them can be used with different types of CPU
- software - quicker to write/test
- programs portable between machines
- used with different types of CPU
A program is being developed using a high level programming language.
a) Explain what is meant by a high level programming language. [2]
b) State two advantages of using a high-level language for software development [2]
a) it is similar to a natural human language
it uses key words such as ‘print’ ‘if’ and ‘then’
programs written in a high level language have to be translated into machine code to operate
b) it is quicker to develop and test the software
the software will be able to run on computers with different types of processor
State what is meant by an embedded system. [1]
an embedded system is a computer system built within a larger device in order to control it
Explain why assembly language is often used to write software for embedded systems. [2]
using assembly language allows hardware components of the device to be controlled directly
the software will be specific to the particular processor in the embedded system and will not need to be used on other types
