Computer Programming Languages - Coursework Example

Running head: computer programming languages Programming Languages Affiliation November 2009 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Abstract 3 Computer programming Language 3 Computer programming uses 4 Types of programming 5 Programming Languages history 6 Types of programming languages 7 Main types 8 What is declarative programming? 9 Conclusion 10 Bibliography 10 Abstract A language is a communication medium. In our daily life, we use English language to communicate to one another our thoughts words, and emotions. In the same way, a computer language is a medium of communication utilized to communicate between computer and user (programmer). The programming languages are the main source that is used by the computer in order to command the computer for carrying out a specific job (tasks). These jobs are significant for performing any operation through the computer system. The main aim of programming languages is to offer a communication link between computers and human. History of programming languages starts immediately after the emergence of the modern computing. This paper presents a detailed overview of the programming languages. This paper will also discuss the purpose of development and types of different programming languages. Computer programming Language By using a computer programming language, a programmer tells a computer what tasks he wants it to carry out. Computer languages are slighter and uncomplicated than natural languages however they have to be utilized with greater care and accuracy (Sinha, 1999, p. 142). A computer programming language is an artificial language that can be utilized to manage the output, operations and behavior of a machine. Programming languages are mainly defined through the combination of the semantic and syntactic rules that illustrate their meaning and structure respectively. Programming languages are utilized to make easy the communication regarding the job or tasks of manipulating and organizing information, as well as to state algorithms accurately (Scribd, 2009). According to (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005, p. 664), A programming language is a collection of words, symbols, and codes that helps a programmer to convey instrcutions to a computer. Tatum (2009) defined Computer programming as a field that has to act by means of the analytical development of source code that can be utilized to arrange computer systems. Computer programmers can select to function in a wide variety of programming functions, or focus in a number of features of support, development, or maintenance of computers intended for the workplace or home (Tatum, 2009). Computer programming is explained by Milo (2007) as a facility for writing instructions and problem solving for a computer. The standards of programming are autonomous of the computer programming language utilized (Milo, 2007). At the present, several hundred languages exist in the computer world. Each language has its own systems for writing the instructions. Languages frequently are developed for particular functions, for instance, scientist applications, business solutions, or web site development (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005, p. 664). Several programming languages have diverse weaknesses and strengths, making a number of types of programs difficult or easier to write, however the fundamental theories remain the similar regardless of language (Milo, 2007). Computer programming uses Tatum (2009) has descibed some of the main uses and purpose of the programming languages. Tatum (2009) states that computer programmer frequently spotlights on the development of software (application or system) that facilitates people to carry out a wide variety of operations. For example, the entire web based/online functions that can be utilized at office or home are having their beginning to a group of programmers or programmer. The development and creation of office suites, Internet dialing software, computer operating systems and even word processing programs these entire exist because of computer programming (Tatum, 2009). Tatum (2009) outlined that computer programming sets out further than software development. The profession of programming as well expands to the adaptation of software for inner utilization, as well as the inclusion of code that permits a program to be customized for a function that is exceptional to a specified environment. For example presently computer programmer can work for a business that desires to utilize existing software like that based on a customized platform that will be utilized like fraction of the business intranet (Tatum, 2009). The next main purpose of computer programming is in the ongoing maintenance of software. These software applications are presently operational at some businesses, firms, organizations, home or web. Here main purpose of programming is to detect any possible error in the system and fixing them or adding some new features in the system operational structure (Tatum, 2009), (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005), and (Norton, 2001). Types of programming Milo (2007) has outlined some main types of computer programming. Here we mainly define the computer programming in two main catagories. Computer programming can be system based and application based. The system programming is mainly concerned with the use of a computer system. The application programming deals with the computer programs that are utilized by most of the people. The application programming paradigm is further divided into further categories that are given below (Milo, 2007): Scientific programming Business programming Web-based programming Businesses programming Personal or home programming Games programming Embedded systems programming Programming Languages history This paper outlines the history of programming in the form of the programming language generations. Henry (2007) has presneted main generations of the programming languge, (Henry, 2007) and (Nasir, 2009): 1GL: according to Henry (2007), first-generation language was primarily the machine language. This generation of the programming langue is based on the level of instructions as well as data that the processor is mainly given to operation. According to Nasir (2009), this genertaion of the programing language was developed in early fifties (Henry, 2007) and (Nasir, 2009). 2GL: According to Nasir (2009) the 2GL were based on the assembler language. These languages were better as compared to machine language in case of programming and handling. This generation of programming languages was operational in mid fifties and sixties (Nasir, 2009). 3GL: Henry (2007) outlined that languages of this generation are high level languages, such as C, PL/I, or Java. According to Nasir (2009) this generation was developed in 80s (Henry, 2007) and (Nasir, 2009). 4GL: This generation of programming languages is considered to be closer to natural language. This generation of programming language is better that 3GL language (Henry, 2007) and (Nasir, 2009). 5GL: this generation uses a graphical or visual development interface to produce source language. This generation includes the programming langue that permits the programmers to easily visualize object-oriented programming class hierarchies as well as drag icons to assemble program parts (Henry, 2007). According to Nasir (2009) this genration languages were developed after 1990 (Henry, 2007) and (Nasir, 2009). Types of programming languages There are two main types of the programming languages, High level and Low level (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005). According to Connolly (2002) the Low-level computer programming language a type of language that offers small or no abstraction as of a computers ISA or instruction set architecture. In this type of programming language the word "low" refers to the nonexistent or very small abstraction among the machine language and programming language. The main reason behind this is the low-level languages are occasionally illustrated like being "close to the hardware (Connolly, 2002). According to (Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p. 204), programming language in which each source code statement creates various statements at the machine language level is aknowledged as high-level language. Bigelow (2000) has stated that high-level programming language is having a powerful abstraction from the facts of the computer. As compared to the low-level programming languages, it can utilize natural language elements, easier to utilize, or additional portable although the platforms. High level languages hide the facts of CPU operations such as memory access models as well as management of scope (Bigelow, 2000). Main types Functional Programming Languages Functional programming languages define each computation like a mathematical assessment. Functional programming languages spotlight on the application of functions. Several functional programming languages are linked with the mathematical calculations; examples of these languages are Scala, F#1 (techdistrict, 2007), (Milo, 2007), (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005) and (Laudon & Laudon, 1999). Procedural Programming Languages Procedural programming languages are identical to imperative programming that involves defining the steps that the computer programs should carry out to arrive at to a planned state. It is a programming model that entails procedure calls. A procedure is a set of statements that are able to be referenced in the course of a procedure call. Procedures facilitate in using the code again. Procedural programming formulates the programs structured as well as simply perceptible for computer program flow. The examples of this type of language are Fortran, Perl, Cobol2 (Oak, 2008), (Norton, 2001), (Laudon & Laudon, 1999), and (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005). Logic-based Programming Languages Logic-based Programming Languages is utilized for the mathematical logic for computer software programming. This type of programming language states the attributes intended for a solution as well as the steps to reach at the solution. The examples of this type of programming language are ALF, Fril Janus, Leda, Oz, Poplog, Prolog,m, etc. (Oak, 2008). Object-oriented Programming Languages Object-oriented or OO programming languages hold up the object-oriented programming methods similar to abstraction, encapsulation, polymorphism and inheritance. OO programming utilizes objects, classes and the interaction among objects. Several languages of the current times hold up object-oriented programming. A number of the extensively utilized programming languages that present object-oriented programming C#, C++, Perl 5, Java, Python, PHP, and Ruby (Milo, 2007), (Laudon & Laudon, 1999), (Norton, 2001), (Sinha, 1999), and (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005). What is declarative programming? Declarative programming is computer language that states the logic of a computation without presenting the control flow. Several languages relevant to this style effort to reduce or reduce side effects through describing what the computer program must achieve, rather than explaining how to move regarding accomplishing it (LogicalTypes, 2008). The main examples of this language paradigm are C, Java, etc. Conclusion Programmers use programming languages to communicate with the computer. There are various types of computer programming languages. These languages are divided into different categories according to their features. In this paper I have presented a detailed analysis of the computer programming how it started, the main use of computer programming, different types and history. In this research I have offered a deep analysis to main programming languages and there operational areas. I hope that this research will offer a deep insight into the overall analysis of the programming languages. Bibliography Bigelow, K. (2000). Levels of Programming Languages . Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from http://www.play-hookey.com/computers/language_levels.html Connolly, T. (2002). High Level vs. Low Level Languages. Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from http://www.control.com/thread/1026151382 Henry, B. (2007). programming language generations. Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid183_gci211502,00.html Hostip. (2009). Programming Language - HISTORY OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES. Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/884/Programming-Language.html Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (1999). Management Information Systems, Sixth Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall . LogicalTypes. (2008, September 10). What is declarative programming? Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from LogicalTypes.com: http://logicaltypes.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-is-declarative-programming.html Milo. (2007, October 14). Computer Programming. Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from OSData.com: http://www.osdata.com/book.pdf Nasir, M. J. (2009). A Journey Through Programming Language Generations. Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~nd/surprise_96/journal/vol2/mjbn/article2.html Norton, P. (2001). Introduction to Computers, Fourth Edition. Singapore: McGraw-Hill. Oak, M. (2008, September 24). List of Programming Languages. Retrieved 11 01, 2009, from Buzzle.com: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/list-of-programming-languages.html Scribd. (2009). History of Programming Language. Retrieved 11 02, 2009, from http://www.scribd.com/doc/6382712/Programming-Language-History Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat. (2005). Discovering Computers 2005. Boston: Thomson Course Technology. Sinha, P. K. (1999). Computer Fundamentals, Concepts, Systems and Applications. New Delhi: BPB Publications. Tatum, M. (2009). What is Computer Programming? Retrieved 11 05, 2009, from WiseGeek.com: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-computer-programming.htm techdistrict. (2007). Programming Language Classification. 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