Page 151 - DCAP507_SYSTEM_SOFTWARE

Unit 10: Programming Languages Concept (I)

 Illustrate data types and data storage Notes
 Understand storage allocation
 Discuss accessing of pointers and label variables

Introduction

Computer is an electronic device which works on the instructions provided by the user. As the
computer does not understand natural language, it is required to provide the instructions in
some computer - understandable language. Such a computer understandable language is known
as Programming language.
A computer programming language consists of a set of symbols and characters, words, and
grammar rules that permit people to construct instructions in the format that can be interpreted
by the computer system.

10.1 Programming Languages

10.1.1 Need for Computer Languages

A language is a system of communication. A language consists of all the symbols, characters and
usage rules that permit people to communicate with each other. The special language by which
we can communicate with the computer is called computer language or programming language.
A programming language is a systematic notation by which we describe computational process.
Computational process means steps for solving a problem.
Understanding of computer software is imperfect without a basic knowledge of programming
language. Programming languages allow the programmers and end users to develop the
programs that are executed by a computer. In today's world, several computer languages exists.
Some of these are created to serve a special purpose (like controlling a robot), while others are
more flexible. General purpose tools that are suitable for many types of applications. However,
every computer language must have instructions that fall into following categories like:
 Input/Output.

 Calculations/Text manipulation.
 Logic/Comparison.
 Storage/Retrieval.

10.1.2 Selection Criteria of Programming Language

 Language should be simple and best known to programmers.

 It should perform well in the concerning application area.
 It should be able to support latest programming paradigm like structured programming,
modular programming, etc.

 There should be an ease of program modification as to err is human.
 Language should supported by standardization and could be able to improvement or self
enhancement.
There is no best programming language any more than there is a best natural language. As said by
Charles V "I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men and German to my horse."

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