Module 1.6: Evolution of Programming Languages

Machine Language
Assembly Language
3rd Generation Languages (3G)
4th Generation Language (4G)
5th Generation Language (5G)

Evolution of Programming Languages

Machine Language

The native language of the computer. The most basic type of computer languages, consisting of strings of numbers that the computer hardware can use. Different types of hardware use different types of machine code

Assembly Lnaguage

Used mnemonics instead of binary opcode. Invented by machine designers in the 1950s (at least 6 years after the first Turing machine was born). Somewhat easier to work with than machine languages

3rd Generation
4th Generation
5th Generation

Higher-level programming languages consists of:

3rd Generation Languages (3G)

The first to use true English-like phrasing, making them easier to use. You can use the same programming language rules in either a Windows or a Mac.

Fortran
COBOL
C/C++
Java

Example of 3rd Generation Languages (3G).

Hybrid Languages

Advanced 3G Languages that combines 4G features. Normally runs with no compilers and uses interpreters instead. Normally does not assign any types to its variables.

Python
Ruby
Perl

Examples of Hybrid Languages.

4th Generation Language (4G)

Easier to use than 3G Languages. May use a text-based environment or may allow user to work in a visual environment using graphical tools. Usually does not need a compiler to run programs.

Visual basic
SQL
Unix Shell
R
Matlab
Labview

Examples of 4th Generation Language (4G).

5th Generation Language (5G)

Uses artificial intelligence to create software. Makes the development of 5G languages difficult. Solves problems using constraints rather than algorithms using artificial intelligence.

Prolog

Example of 5th Generation Language (5G).