2. INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING AND
LANGUAGES
Programming is the process of designing and building an executable
computer program to accomplish a specific task. It involves writing a set of
instructions that a computer can execute to perform a particular operation
or solve a problem. Programming is a fundamental skill in the field of
computer science and is used in various applications, from software
development to data analysis and automation.
A programming language is a formal system of rules and syntax used to
instruct a computer or computing device to perform specific tasks. It serves
as an intermediary between human-readable code and machine-executable
instructions, allowing programmers to communicate with computers in a
way that is understandable and structured to the computer.
3. LIST OF SOME PROGRAMMING
LANGUAGES
1. Formula Translation (FORTRAN)
2. Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL)
3. Algorithmic Language (ALGOL)
4. Programming Languages One (PL/1)
5. C
4. 1. FORTRAN
Fortran, short for Formula Translation, is a general-purpose, imperative
programming language that was specifically designed for scientific and
engineering calculations. It has a long history, dating back to the 1950s,
and it has undergone several revisions over the years. Fortran is known for
its numerical and scientific computing capabilities and is widely used in
areas where high-performance computing and numerical accuracy are
crucial.
5. KEY FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF
FORTRAN INCLUDE
Efficient Memory Handling:
It allows low-level control over memory, allowing developers to optimize memory usage for
performance.
Parallel Programming:
Modern versions of Fortran (such as Fortran 90 and later) include features for parallel
programming, which allows developers to take advantage of multi-core processors and high-
performance computing clusters.
Portability:
Fortran code is generally highly portable across different platforms, which is important for
scientific applications that may need to run on various supercomputers or computing clusters.
Standardization:
Fortran is standardized by organizations such as the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The most recent
standard is Fortran 2018.
6. 2. COBOL
COBOL, which stands for Common Business-
Oriented Language, is a high-level programming
language that was developed in the late 1950s and
early 1960s. It was specifically designed for
business, finance, and administrative systems.
COBOL is known for its readability, English-like
syntax, and extensive support for data processing.
7. KEY FEATURES AND ASPECTS OF COBOL INCLUDE:
English-like Syntax:
COBOL was designed to be easily readable by non-programmers, with a syntax that
resembles natural language, making it accessible to business professionals.
Data Processing Focus:
COBOL is particularly well-suited for handling large volumes of data, making it widely used
in applications involving business transactions, financial processing, and data
manipulation.
Record Structures:
COBOL places a strong emphasis on record-oriented data structures, making it effective
for handling data in a tabular format, such as databases and files.
Fixed-Format Code:
Traditionally, COBOL code has been written in fixed-format, with specific columns
reserved for different purposes. While this format is less common in modern development,
it remains a characteristic of traditional COBOL code.
8. 3. ALGOL
ALGOL (Algorithmic Language) is a family of
programming languages that originated in the late
1950s and played a significant role in the early
development of computer science. ALGOL was
designed with a focus on clarity, simplicity, and
algorithmic problem-solving. Several versions of
ALGOL have been developed, each with its own
features and improvements.
9. KEY FEATURES AND ASPECTS OF
AOGOL INCLUDE
Influence on Other Languages:
ALGOL 60 had a profound influence on the development of subsequent programming
languages, including Pascal, C, and Java. Many modern programming languages adopted
concepts from ALGOL 60, such as block structures and lexical scoping.
Standardization:
ALGOL 60 was an early attempt at standardizing programming languages. The effort to create
an international standard contributed to the widespread acceptance of ALGOL 60 in the
academic community.
Algol W:
Algol W, developed in the mid-1960s, was a simplified version of ALGOL 60. It was designed for
easier implementation and served as a basis for the development of languages like Pascal.
ALGOL 68:
ALGOL 68, developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, aimed to address the shortcomings of
ALGOL 60 and incorporate more modern language features. It introduced concepts like
orthogonality and user-defined data types.
10. 4. PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
ONE
PL/I (Programming Language One) is a high-level
programming language designed for a wide range
of applications, including scientific, engineering,
business, and systems programming. It is the
combination of ALGOL and COBOL .it is developed
by IBM in the early 1960s, PL/I was intended to be a
versatile language that combined features from
various existing languages, aiming to support both
numerical and business-oriented applications.
11. KEY FEATURES AND ASPECTS OF
PL/I INCLUDE:
General-Purpose Language:
PL/I is a general-purpose programming language designed to be versatile and applicable
to a wide range of computing tasks.
Pointer Support:
PL/I includes support for pointers, enabling more advanced memory manipulation and
data structure implementation.
File Handling:
PL/I provides built-in facilities for file handling, making it convenient for input/output
operations.
Influence on Other Languages:
While not as widely adopted as languages like C or Java, PL/I has influenced the design of
subsequent programming languages. Some concepts from PL/I are present in modern
12. 5. C LANGUAGE
C is a general-purpose, procedural programming
language that was developed in the early 1970s by
Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs. It became one of the
most widely used programming languages and
served as the foundation for the development of
many other languages. C is known for its efficiency,
low-level access to memory, and a straight forward
syntax that allows for close control over hardware.
13. KEY FEATURES AND ASPECTS OF C
INCLUDE:
Portability:
C is designed to be easily portable across different computer architectures. Programs
written in C can be compiled on various systems with minimal changes
Flexibility:
C is a versatile language that can be used for a wide range of applications, from system-
level programming to application development.
Influence on Other Languages:
Many modern programming languages, including C++, C#, and Objective-C, have been
influenced by C. Its syntax and concepts are foundational to the understanding of
programming for many developers.
Popular in System Programming:
C is commonly used for system programming tasks, operating system development, and
embedded systems due to its low-level features and efficiency.
14. CONCLUSION
Programming languages plays a
fundamental role in the world of computer
science and software development. They
serve as the means through which humans
communicate instructions to computers,
enabling the creation of a wide range of
applications and systems which helps us
in our day to day life. And those
application makes our life easier.