The document explains the concept of computer languages, distinguishing between low-level and high-level languages. It details the evolution of languages from first generation (machine language) to fifth generation, which includes various programming languages and their unique characteristics. Additionally, it describes the role of translators, such as assemblers, interpreters, and compilers, in converting high-level language into machine-readable code.

1. COMPUTER LANGUAGE

2. LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE is a system of words or signs that people use to
express thoughts and feelings to each other

3. COMPUTER LANGUAGE
A computer languages are the language by which user command a
computer to work on the algorithm which a user has written to get an
output

4. TWO TYPES OF COMPUTER
LANGUAGES
.LOW-level languages
.HIGH-level languages

6. LOW LEVEL LANGUAGE
A low level programming language is a programming language
that provides little or no abstraction from a computers
instruction set architecture. It consist of numeric codes that is
0 and 1 . This codes are easily understandable to computer
but difficult to human
A low level language is used in two generations of computer
.First generation
.Second generation

7. First generation
languages or 1 GL
Represent the very
early, primitive
computer languages
that consisted entirely
of 1’s and 0’s –the
actual language that
the computer
understands (machine
language)

8. Second
generation
language or 2 GL
Represent a step up
from the first generation
languages . Allow for the
use of symbolic name
instead of just numbers.
Second generation
languages are known as
assembly languages
.code written in an
assembly language is
converted into machine
language(1GL).

9. HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGE
A high level language is a programming language
design to simplify computer programming .high
level source code contains easy to read syntax that
is later converted into a low-level language ,which
can be recognized and run by a specific CPU .most
common programming languages are considered
high level languages

10. Examples of high level language

11. High level
languages
3rd
Generation
5th
Generation
4th
Generation

12. 3rd GENERATION LANGUAGE
• A third generation( programming )language or 3GL is a
grouping of programming languages that introduced
significant enhancements to second generation
languages , primarily intended to make the
programming language more programmer – friendly
• Commonly known 3GLs are –
• 1. COBOL(COMMON BUSINESS ORIENTED LANGUAGE)
• 2. C++
• 3 . JAVA
• 4.BASIC

13. 4th GENERATION LANGUAGE
• A fourth generation programming language or 4GL is a
grouping of programming languages that attempted to get
closer than 3GLs to human languages, form of thinking and
conceptualization .
• 444GLs are designed to reduce the overall time, effort and
cost of software development .
Some examples are:
1. database query language e.g. SQL(structure query
language)
2. Focus
3.Metafont
4. PostScript

14. 5th GENERATION LANGUAGE
• A fifth- generation programming language or 5GL is a
programming language based on solving using constraints
given to the program , rather than using an algorithm written
by a programmer.
• Most constraint-based and logic programming languages and
some other declarative languages are 5th generation
languages.
• EXAMPLE-PROLOG( PROgramming LOGic) is an example of a
logic programming language.
• OPS5 and Mercury are other examples of 5GL .

18. TRANSLATOR
• A program written in high level language is called
source code .To convert the source code into
machine code translator are needed .
• A translator takes a program written in source
language as input and convert it into a program in
target language as output.
• It also detect and reports the error during
translation.

19. There are three types of translator
ASSEMBLER INTERPRETER COMPILER

20. ASSEMBLER
It is a translator which is used to translate the assembly
language(2nd generation) into machine language(1st generation).
ASSEMBLERAssembly language Machine language

21. INTERPRETER
It is a translator which is used to convert program in high level
language to low level language(1G) .
It translates line by line and report the error, once it encounter during
the translation process.
Interpreter stops when a line of code is reached that contain an error.
Source
program
Input
INTERPRETER OUTPUT

22. COMPILER
Compiler is a translator which is used to
convert program in high level language to low
level language. It translates the entire program
and also reports the error .
Source
program
COMPILER Target
program
Error
message