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Fourth Generation Languages (4GL)
The fourth generation languages also use English like statements. They specify what the program
should accomplish without explaining how. A 4GL is fast, requiring less time and effort on the part
of the programmer. In fact, 4GLs are so easy to use, and programmers with very little programming
background can develop programs. Examples of 4GL are SQL, Perl, Python, etc.
Natural Languages (5GL)
The fifth-generation languages, also known as natural languages are the programming languages that
have visual tools to develop a program. Examples of fifth generation languages include Mercury, OPS5,
and Prolog. Natural languages are easy to use. Natural languages are often associated with expert
systems and artificial intelligence.
Topic Flashback 21 st Century #Information Literacy
Skills
Write the names of any three languages of third generation.
1. ___________________ 2. ___________________ 3. ___________________
Advantages of High-Level Languages
A high-level language is user-friendly, making it easier to read, write, and maintain.
A high-level language is similar to the English language with a vocabulary of words and symbols;
therefore, it is easier to learn.
A high-level language requires less time to write a program.
A high-level language is machine independent.
Disadvantages of High-Level Languages
A high-level language needs to be translated into the machine language by a language translator,
and thus it wastes a lot of the computer time.
The object code generated by a translator might be inefficient as compared to an equivalent assembly
language program.
LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR
A language translator is software that converts a high-level language program into a machine language.
There are three types of language translators—assembler, compiler, and interpreter.
Assembler
An assembler is a program used to translate assembly language into machine language (0’s and 1’s )
so that the computer can understand it.
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