What is computer program? Discuss in brief about different generation of programming Ianguages.
Answer:
A computer program is a set of instructions or statements that tell a computer what to do. It is written using a programming language and is executed by a computer to perform specific tasks or solve problems.
Now let's discuss the different generations of programming languages:
1. First Generation (Machine Language): Machine language is the lowest level programming language that directly communicates with the computer hardware. It consists of binary code (0s and 1s) that represents instructions and data. Machine language is specific to a particular computer architecture and is very difficult for humans to understand and program directly.
2. Second Generation (Assembly Language): Assembly language uses mnemonic codes (short abbreviations) to represent the machine instructions. It is a low-level programming language that is specific to a particular computer architecture. Assembly language programs are written using a combination of mnemonic codes and symbols, which are then translated into machine code using an assembler. Assembly language provides more human-readable instructions compared to machine language.
3. Third Generation (High-Level Programming Languages): High-level programming languages were developed to make programming easier and more accessible for humans. These languages are closer to natural languages and provide powerful abstractions and built-in functions that simplify the programming process. Examples of third-generation languages include C, C++, Java, Python, and Ruby. High-level languages are platform-independent, meaning the same code can be executed on different computer systems with minor modifications.
4. Fourth Generation (4GL): Fourth-generation languages are designed to be even more user-friendly and provide a higher level of abstraction. These languages focus on specifying what needs to be done rather than how to do it. They are commonly used in database programming, rapid application development, and report generation. Examples of 4GLs include SQL (Structured Query Language) and tools like PowerBuilder and Visual Basic.
5. Fifth Generation (AI Languages): The concept of fifth-generation languages is based on the development of artificial intelligence systems. These languages aim to facilitate human-computer interaction by understanding natural language and problem-solving. However, the widespread adoption of fifth-generation languages has been limited, and their development has not progressed significantly.
It's important to note that programming languages can belong to multiple generations, and advancements in programming languages continue to evolve with new features, paradigms, and tools being introduced over time.
