Programming Languages

• High Level Programming Languages:

  • Visual Basic, C++, C#, Python, Luau(my goat), FORTRAN, etc.
  • High Level Source Code must be translated before it is able to be executed by a computer (interpretation and compilation both work).
  • The particular implementation of a programming language determines whether it can be interpreted, compiled or both)
  • Closer to English than lower level languages, making them easier to learn and program with.
• Low Level Programming Languages:

  • Assembly code, etc.
  • Still needs to be translated.
  • Harder to understand as a human but its usually more efficient than HL programming languages (memory wise).
  • Assemblers are required to translate assembly language.
• Turing Complete:

  • Most programming paradigms are said to be Turing complete.
  • This means that the languages following those paradigms can solve all problems computers are able to solve.
• Imperative and Declarative Languages:

  • Imperative use statements that change a programs state in the form of a sequence, selection, iteration, etc. They consist of commands for a computer to perform and focus on describing HOW a program operates.
  • Imperative paradigms: Object Oriented, Procedural.
  • Declarative languages focus on WHAT the program should accomplish - though they aren't on the spec so who cares.
  • Declarative paradigms: Logical, Functional.
• Procedural Programming:

  • A type of imperative programming paradigm where a program is built from a collection of subroutines(procedures, functions, etc).
  • They are extremely common and typically viewed as the easiest to learn.
  • Sometimes, people refer to them as "imperative".
  • Procedural languages focus on giving the computer a sequential and ordered set of instructions detailing exactly what they need to do.
  • Sequence, Selection, Iteration. Code is developed in a modular fashion, using procedures and functions. C#, visual basic and Python are all examples of procedural.
• Object Oriented Programming:

  • A modern extension of the imperative approach that focuses on a more modular approach to programming. It involves objects, classes, methods and focuses on modelling objects/concepts which exist in real life.