Programming languages are formal languages that allow humans to communicate instructions to computers. They form the foundation of all software development and are a key part of the ICT syllabus in Sri Lanka.
What is a Programming Language?
A programming language is a set of rules, symbols, and keywords used to write programs. Programs are sequences of instructions that tell the computer what to do. Every application you use — from web browsers to mobile apps — is written in one or more programming languages.
Generations of Programming Languages
| Generation | Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Machine Language | Binary code (0s and 1s) |
| 2nd | Assembly Language | MASM, NASM |
| 3rd | High-Level Languages | C, Java, Python, Pascal |
| 4th | Very High-Level / Domain-Specific | SQL, MATLAB |
| 5th | AI / Constraint-Based | Prolog, Mercury |
Compiled vs. Interpreted Languages
Compiled languages (e.g., C, C++) convert the entire source code into machine code before execution. This generally results in faster programs. Interpreted languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript) execute code line-by-line using an interpreter, which makes development and debugging easier but may run slower.
Java uses a hybrid approach: source code is compiled to bytecode, which runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Choosing a Programming Language
The best language depends on the task. For web development, JavaScript and PHP are common. For mobile apps, Java (Android) and Swift (iOS) are standard. For data science, Python and R are popular. For systems programming, C and C++ remain dominant.
Next: Programming Languages (continued) | See also: Introduction to Java