Classification of programming languages

• What are the two main low-level languages

  • Machine code
  • Assembly code
• What is machine code

  Lowest level of code made up of 0s and 1s

  • All code given to a computer must be in machine code, as they can only understand binary digits
• What are the advantages of machine code (2)

  • Very quick execution
  • Processor will do exactly what you tell it to do
• What are the disadvantages of machine code (3)

  • will take a very long time to code
  • high risk of mistakes which will take a very long time to debug
  • machine code written for one processor will not work for a computer with a different processor
• What is assembly code

  A way of programming that allows programmers to write using code, and one assembly code command is equal to one command in machine code
• What are the advantage of assembly code (3)

  • Gives access to registers on the processor -> high level of control
  • one-to-one relationship with machine code
  • uses english words, making it easier to understand
• What are the disadvantages of assembly code (3)

  • Takes time to code
  • Difficult to understand, despite use of english words
  • Computer doesn't understand assembly code, so it needs translating
• What is a high-level language

  A programming language that is written using english keywords and is platform independent
• What are the advantages of high-level languages (3)

  • Easy for programmer to understand
  • Can be used on all computers regardless of differing processors
  • Wide variety of structures to make programming more straight forward
• What are the disadvantages of high-level languages

  • one-to-many relationship with machine code
  • Needs translating for the computer to understand and carry out the instructions
• What is an imperative high-level language

  A language that specifies HOW a computer should complete a task
• What is the relationship between an imperative high-level language and low-level languages

  one statement from an imperative high-level language is equivalent to multiple low-level language statements