Page 16 - CA_Blue( J )_Class9
P. 16
Advantages of Machine Language
1. Programs in machine language are executed faster as it directly interacts with the computer.
2. Code conversion is not required if the program is written in machine language.
Disadvantages of Machine Language
1. Machine language is machine dependent. Hence, it will differ from machine to machine, making it difficult to
create portable programs.
2. Code in machine language is in the form of binary, which makes it difficult to debug.
1.1.2 Assembly Language (2 GL)
It is also a low-level language. It consists of mnemonics (symbols and abbreviations) and op-codes (numbers)
instead of binary digits. To convert it to machine language, a translator known as “Assembler” is used. MASM
(Macro Assembler) is an example of Assembly Language.
Note: An Assembler is a translator program that converts codes written in an assembly language to
machine language code i.e., 0’s and 1’s.
Advantages of Assembly Language
1. It uses statements instead of binary digits, so it can be easily understood and developed by the programmer.
2. It is easy to debug.
Disadvantages of Assembly Language
1. This language is machine dependent, so it needs a translator program.
2. The programmers should have a good knowledge of mnemonics.
1.1.3 High-Level Language
To overcome the inconvenience of Low-Level Languages (machine language and Assembly language), High-Level
Language was developed.
This language is closer to human languages because programs are written in English language or symbols such as
operators and punctuators. Writing codes in High-level language is easier to develop and modify.
Since it is a machine-independent language, it has to be converted to machine language with the help of a compiler
or interpreter for execution.
There are three main categories of high-level languages, which are third generation languages, fourth generation
languages, and fifth generation languages.
Third Generation Languages (3GL)
In third generation languages, the programmer writes a series of English like words that tell the computer what to
accomplish and how to do it.
Many third generation languages also use arithmetic operators such as * for multiplication and + for addition.
These English like words and arithmetic notations make it easy for a programmer to write the programs. Examples
of 3GL are BASIC, PASCAL, C, FORTRAN C++, Java, and C#.
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 faster and takes less time for the programmer to code. In fact, 4GLs are so easy
to use that programmers with very little programming knowledge can develop programs. Examples of 4GL are
MATLAB, Oracle Reports, or Informix.
14 Touchpad Computer Applications-IX

