Software Design

What is a Programming Language?

·        Programming language is a set of words, symbols, and codes that enables a programmer to communicate a solution algorithm to a computer.

·        It is needed to allow human begins and computers to talk to each other.

·        A programmer can use a variety of programming languages to code a program.

·        A program development tool consists of user-friendly software products designed to assist both programmers and non-technical users with the creation of information system solutions.

 Generation of Programming Language

 ·        The first generation of language was the machine language. The machine language instruction uses a series of binary digits or a combination of numbers and letters that represents binary digits. Instructions and addresses were numerical.

·        The second generation of language was the symbolic instructions or mnemonics and addresses. To convert the assembly language source program into machine language, you use an assembler. Example, IBM, BAL and VAX macro.

·        The third generation language was the programmer concentration of structured programming and database management. It is a procedural language that requires the program instruction to tell the computer what to accomplish and how to do it. Example, FORTRAN, ADA, COBOL, Pascal, C and BASIC.

·        The fourth generation (4GL) was the non-procedural type language. The programmer only specifies what the program should accomplish without explaining how. Example. SQL, Postscript, and relational database orientation.

·        The fifth generation (5GL) was concerned on Artificial Intelligence and Fuzzy Logic.