| a high-level language used to write computer programs, as COBOL or BASIC, or, sometimes, an assembly language. |
| programming language n. An artificial language used to write instructions that can be translated into machine language and then executed by a computer. |
In computer technology, a set of conventions in which instructions for the machine are written. There are many languages that allow humans to communicate with computers; C++, BASIC, and Java are some common ones.
programming language  (prō'grām'ĭng) Pronunciation Key
An artificial language used to write instructions that can be translated into machine language and then executed by a computer. English and other natural languages are not used as programming languages because they cannot be easily translated into machine language. ◇ A compiled language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compilerprior to being executed. C++ and SmallTalk are examples of compiled languages. ◇ An interpreted language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compilerprior to being executed. Most scripting and macro languages are interpreted languages. See also program. |
programming language language
A formal language in which computer programs are written. The definition of a particular language consists of both syntax (how the various symbols of the language may be combined) and semantics (the meaning of the language constructs).
Languages are classified as low level if they are close to machine code and high level if each language statement corresponds to many machine code instructions (though this could also apply to a low level language with extensive use of macros, in which case it would be debatable whether it still counted as low level). A roughly parallel classification is the description as first generation language through to fifth generation language.
The other major classification of languages distinguishes between imperative languages, procedural language and declarative languages.
Programming languages time-line/family tree.
(2004-05-17)