Page 210 - DCAP104_EXPOSURE_TO_COMPUTER_DISCPLINES

Unit 10: Programming Language

It was not long ago that few people believed that 4GLs would ever be able to replace third- Notes
generation languages. These 4GL languages are being used, but in a very limited way.

10.2.5 Query Languages
A variation on fourth-generation languages are query languages, which can be used to retrieve
information from databases. Data is usually added to databases according to a plan, and planned
reports may also be produced. But what about a user who needs an unscheduled report or a report
that differs somehow from the standard reports? A user can learn a query language fairly easily
and then be able to input a request and receive the resulting report right on his or her own terminal
or personal computer. A standardized query language, which can be used with several different
commercial database programs, is Structured Query Language, popularly known as SQL. Other
popular query languages are Query-by-Example, known as QBE and Intellect.
10.2.6 Natural Languages

The word “natural” has become almost as popular in computing circles as it has in the supermarket.
Fifth-generation languages are, as you may guess, even more ill-defined than fourth-generation
languages. They are most often called natural languages because of their resemblance to the
“natural” spoken English language. And, to the manager new to computers for whom these
languages are now aimed, natural means human-like. Instead of being forced to key correct
commands and data names in correct order, a manager tells the computer what to do by keying
in his or her own words.

Figure 10.2: Example of Natural Language Interaction

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