What is a programming language?: Difference between revisions

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A programming language is a formal computer language or constructed language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs to control the behavior of a machine or to express algorithms.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_language</ref>
A programming language is a formal computer language or constructed language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs to control the behavior of a machine or to express algorithms.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_language</ref>
The most basic instructions a computer can be given are:


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Revision as of 13:15, 20 July 2017

Programming basics[1]

A programming language is a formal computer language or constructed language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs to control the behavior of a machine or to express algorithms.[2]

The most basic instructions a computer can be given are:

  • ADD
  • COMPARE
  • RETRIEVE
  • STORE

Complex capabilities are composed of very large numbers of very simple operations.

If we ask a simple question: what is the biggest item on this list, we might use complex code like this:

$list_of_numbers = [12,1,54,8,19,4,13,21,12,89,-1,6]

echo max($list_of_numbers);

But the computer (using fundamental operations) will process the above instructions like this:

LOAD register 00001
ADD 12
STORE result
COMPARE result to register 0002

An example[edit]

Below is an example of a program language designed to communicate instructions to a machine. The piano is "fed" instructions which enable it to play a simple song. The song is an example of a program. Can you imagine how difficult it might be to "write" these instructions?!?

Essential features of a programming language[edit]

  • Fixed vocabulary
  • Unambiguous meaning
  • Consistent grammar & syntax

Standards[edit]

  • State the fundamental operations of a computer.
  • Distinguish between fundamental and compound operations of a computer.
  • Explain the essential features of a computer language.
  • Explain the need for higher level languages.
  • Outline the need for a translation process from a higher level language to machine executable code.

References[edit]