Why Programming Paradigms and Languages - Essay Example

?COMP3104: The Nature of Computing “Why Programming paradigms and languages?” By Introduction A language is a way of communication between two persons. In the same way, computer programming language is a way of communication between user and computer. In this scenario, the instructions are given to the computer to carry out a specific task. In addition, these instructions are provided to the computer according to the rules of the programming language. At the present, there are numerous programming languages, which can be used to develop a wide variety of software applications (Shelly et al., 2005; Norton, 2001). This paper presents a detailed overview of computer programming languages. This paper will discuss the evolution of computer programming languages, change in a diversity of languages and explore how languages such as Python, Perl, Ruby and C# emerged as a convergence of previous languages. Introduction to Programming and Programming Languages The computer programming is the process of writing the computer programs (also called software applications) to solve different kind of problems as well as to manage different processes of the computer. In fact, a computer is useless without a computer program. In addition, a computer program is written after understanding the problem. In this scenario, we must be clear about the processing steps to be performed by a computer. It means that we must understand the logic of the program before writing a program; we must learn how to plan the theoretical framework of the program. Basically, the program instructions are written in such a way that the computer can follow the program instructions in the correct sequence to solve the problem productively. Hence, in order to write an accurate (or successful) program, the programmer must write the program instructions in an accurate order. On the other hand, if the program instructions are not written in a correct sequence, then the result of the program will be wrong. Thus, the computer programs must be planned before they are written into the computer (Shelly et al., 2005; Norton, 2001). Moreover, the programming languages are used to prepare computer programs or software applications. Early computer programs were written straightforwardly in machine language for instance in binary code. Additionally, it was very difficult to write programs in machine code. However, at the present, a wide variety of the programming languages are available for writing different types of programs. In addition, each programming language has its own rules for witting the programs, which need to be followed in order to get accurate results. For instance, FORTRAN is used for scientific purposes, ADA for defense applications, COBOL for business solutions, etc. (Shelly et al., 2005; Norton, 2001). In simple words, the computer programming is an art of writing instructions and problem solving for a computer. However, the standards of programming are independent of the computer programming language utilized. Moreover, different programming languages have different weaknesses and strengths, making different types of programs difficult or much easier to write, however the fundamental theories remain the same regardless of language (Nasir, 1996; Tatum, 2012). Programming Diversities The computer programming languages are divided into two categories: system programming and application programming. The system programming is mainly concerned with the use of a computer system. On the other hand, the application programming deals with the computer programs which are directly utilized by many people. In addition, the application programming paradigm is further divided into more categories such as (Milo, 2007) Scientific programming Business programming Web-based programming Businesses programming Personal or home programming Game programming Embedded systems programming History of Programming Language Generations This section outlines the history of programming in the form of programming language generations. All the programming languages are classified into different generations (Henry, 2000). 1GL: first-generation language was primarily the machine language. This generation is based on the level of instructions as well as data that the processor is mainly given to operation. In addition, this generation of the programming languages emerged in the early fifties (Henry, 2000). 2GL: The 2GL were based on the assembler language. However, these languages are much better than the machine language in scenario of programming. This generation of programming languages was used in the mid fifties and sixties (Henry, 2000). 3GL: This generation is based on the set of high level languages, such as C, PL/I, or Java. This generation was developed in 80s. 4GL: This generation of programming languages is considered to be closer to natural language. This generation of programming language is better than the 3GL languages. 5GL: This generation of programming languages uses a graphical or visual development interface to produce source code. This generation includes the programming languages that permit us to easily visualize object-oriented programming class hierarchies as well as drag icons to assemble program parts. These languages were developed after 1990. MS Visual Basic is a well-known example of these programming languages (Henry, 2000; Nasir, 1996). Languages Development History This section discusses the history of different programming languages. In the 1940s the initially noticeably up-to-date electrically power-driven technology based computers were developed. The inadequate speed as well as memory capability pushed programmers to develop hand tuned, more reliable and manageable assembly language programs. Thus, it was rapidly assessed that programming in assembly language needed plenty of intellectual effort as well as was error-prone (Computernostalgia, 2012; O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2011; Armbruster et al., 2001). In 1945, Konrad Zuse developed the essentials of his newly developed programming language Plankalkul that was not so popular. However, in 1950 the initial 3 modern programming languages which are still largely utilized nowadays were developed. The first one is FORTRAN that is also known as "Formula Translator", was developed by John W. Backus. The second language LISP that is known as "List Processor" was developed by John McCarthy. And the third language was COBOL that is known as Common Business Oriented Language was developed by the Short Range Committee, greatly predisposed through Grace Hopper. In addition, some of the well known programming languages that were developed in this time period are: (Computernostalgia, 2012; O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2011; Armbruster et al., 2001) 1951 - Regional Assembly Language 1952 - Autocode 1954 - FORTRAN 1958 - LISP 1958 - ALGOL 1959 - COBOL 1962 - APL 1962 - Simula 1964 - BASIC 1964 - PL/I Moreover, one most famous programming language C, that was the first system programming language, was created by Dennis Ritchie and Ken Thompson at Bell Labs in 1969. The 1980s were known for the comparative consolidation. In this era, C++ collective object-oriented and systems programming technology emerged. The vast expansion of the web in the mid 90s was the subsequent key historic occasion in programming languages. By opening up an innovative platform for computer systems, the web developed a prospect for new languages to be built (Computernostalgia, 2012; O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2011; Armbruster et al., 2001). References Armbruster, F., Brooks, C., Christos, B. & Fuller, K., 2001. The History of Programming Languages. [Online] Available at: http://www2.lv.psu.edu/ojj/courses/ist-240/reports/spring2001/fa-cb-bc-kf/historyindex.html [Accessed 10 March 2012]. Computernostalgia, 2012. Programming Language History. [Online] Available at: http://www.computernostalgia.net/articles/HistoryofProgrammingLanguages.htm [Accessed 10 March 2012]. Henry, B., 2000. programming language generations. [Online] Available at: http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,sid183_gci211502,00.html [Accessed 07 March 2012]. Milo, 2007. Computer Programming. [Online] Available at: http://www.osdata.com/book.pdf [Accessed 07 March 2012]. Nasir, M.J.B.M., 1996. A Journey Through Programming Language Generations. [Online] Available at: http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~nd/surprise_96/journal/vol2/mjbn/article2.html [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Norton, P., 2001. Introduction to Computers, Fourth Edition. Singapore: McGraw-Hill. O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2011. The History of Programming Languages. [Online] Available at: http://oreilly.com/news/languageposter_0504.html [Accessed 09 March 2012]. Scribd, 2009. History of Programming Language. [Online] Available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/6382712/Programming-Language-History [Accessed 02 November 2009]. Shelly, Cashman & Vermaat, 2005. Discovering Computers 2005. Boston: Thomson Course Technology. Tatum, M., 2012. What is Computer Programming? [Online] Available at: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-computer-programming.htm [Accessed 10 March 2012]. Read More