51. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478-0984) 4.2 High-level and low-level languages

Summary

This video explores the evolution of programming languages, contrasting high-level and low-level languages. It begins with the early days of computer science where machines were programmed with plug boards and binary tapes. Low-level languages like assembly, which are efficient but complex, were later introduced. High-level languages, such as Python and Java, emerged to simplify programming, offering ease of use, portability, and abstraction from hardware. Despite being less memory efficient and slower, their advantages have led to their widespread adoption, especially with increased processor speeds and memory capacities.

Takeaways

• 📚 Early computers were large and operated as electronic adding machines, controlled by complex wiring and plug boards.
• 🔌 The initial programming process was time-consuming and required physical manipulation of plug boards and electrical cables.
• 📝 Programs were infrequently updated due to the complexity of the setup, often only changed once every few weeks.
• 🛠️ Assembly language was a significant advancement, allowing programmers to use simple commands that could be translated into machine code.
• 🔑 Assembly language is efficient but requires significant intellectual effort to write and understand, being closely tied to a specific processor's architecture.
• 🌐 Short Code was considered the first high-level language, using mathematical expressions and executed via an interpreter, albeit slower than machine code.
• 🚀 The use of high-level languages has exploded due to increased processor speed and memory capacity.
• 🌟 Modern programs are predominantly written in high-level languages like Python, C, Java, and others for their ease of use and readability.
• 🔩 Assembly languages are still relevant but are typically reserved for specialized applications such as embedded systems and device drivers.
• 🤖 Low-level languages are machine-friendly and require an assembler for translation, whereas high-level languages are programmer-friendly and may use a compiler or interpreter.
• 💾 Low-level languages are memory efficient and machine-dependent, while high-level languages consume more memory and are machine-independent.
• 🔬 Writing low-level languages often requires hardware knowledge, whereas high-level languages can be written with little to no hardware knowledge required.

Q & A

What were the early computers referred to as before the advent of high-level programming?

Early computers were referred to as electronic adding machines, which were vast machines that filled entire rooms and were controlled by a complex web of electrical cables.

How were the initial programs for electronic adding machines created?

The initial programs were created by using plug boards and wires, a process that could take days to complete a single program.

Why was it difficult to change programs on early computers?

It was difficult to change programs because of the complexity involved in reconfiguring the plug boards and the time-consuming nature of creating new programs.

What was the significance of the later iteration of electronic adding machines?

The later iteration involved permanently programming the plug boards with a set of around 50 to 100 commonly used instructions, which made it somewhat easier to enter instructions in sequence.

What was the main challenge faced when writing programs in binary?

Writing programs in binary was extremely difficult due to the complexity of representing all instructions as nothing but zeros and ones.

What is the difference between low-level languages like assembly and high-level languages?

Low-level languages like assembly are closer to machine code and require more intellectual effort to write and understand, while high-level languages are more abstract and easier for humans to understand and maintain.

What is considered the first high-level programming language?

Short Code is commonly considered to be the first high-level programming language, which used statements expressed as mathematical expressions.

Why did the use of high-level languages increase over the years?

The use of high-level languages increased due to two factors: increased processor speed and increased memory capacity.

What are some examples of modern high-level programming languages?

Examples of modern high-level languages include Python, the family of C languages, Visual Basic, Java, and Lua.

In what situations are assembly languages still commonly used today?

Assembly languages are still used today, but they are typically reserved for specialist situations such as embedded systems and device drivers.

What are the main differences between low-level and high-level languages in terms of machine and programmer friendliness?

Low-level languages are machine-friendly, being difficult for humans to understand but easy for machines to interpret. High-level languages are programmer-friendly, being easy to understand, debug, and maintain.

What tools are required for the translation of low-level and high-level languages into machine code?

Low-level languages require an assembler for direct translation, while high-level languages require a compiler or interpreter for translation into machine code.

How do low-level and high-level languages compare in terms of memory efficiency and portability?

Low-level languages are more memory efficient and cannot be easily ported from one device to another, whereas high-level languages are less memory efficient but can be easily ported across different devices.

What is the level of abstraction when writing in low-level versus high-level languages?

There is very little abstraction when writing in low-level languages, whereas there is a high level of abstraction when writing in high-level languages.

What kind of knowledge is often a prerequisite for writing low-level languages efficiently?

Knowledge of hardware is often a prerequisite for writing low-level languages efficiently, while little to no hardware knowledge is required to write programs in high-level languages.