Problem Solving Using Computer
Course Code: BCAC 0018
Lecture - 19
Generation of Programming Languages
• There are five generations of Programming languages. They are:
First Generation
The first-generation languages are also called machine languages/ 1G
language. This language is machine-dependent. The machine
language statements are written in binary code (0/1 form) because
the computer can understand only binary language.
• Advantages :
1. Fast & efficient as statements are directly written in binary
language.
2. No translator is required.
• Disadvantages :
1. Difficult to learn binary codes.
2. Difficult to understand – both programs & where the error
occurred.
Second Generation
The second-generation languages are also called assembler
languages/ 2G languages. Assembly language contains human-
readable notations that can be further converted to machine
language using an assembler.
• Advantages :
1. It is easier to understand if compared to machine language.
2. Modifications are easy.
3. Correction & location of errors are easy.
• Disadvantages :
1. Assembler is required.
2. This language is architecture /machine-dependent, with a different
instruction set for different machines.
Third Generation
The third generation is also called procedural language /3 GL. It
consists of English-like words that humans can understand easily, to
write instructions. It’s also called High-Level Programming Language.
For execution, a program in this language needs to be translated into
machine language using a Compiler/ Interpreter. Examples of this
type of language are C, PASCAL, FORTRAN, COBOL, etc.
• Advantages :
1. Use of English-like words makes it a human-understandable
language.
2. Lesser number of lines of code as compared to the above 2
languages.
3. Same code can be copied to another machine.
• Disadvantages :
1. Compiler/ interpreter is needed.
Fourth Generation
The fourth-generation language is also called a non – procedural
language/ 4GL. It enables users to access the database. These
languages are also human-friendly to understand.
Examples: SQL, Foxpro, Focus, Python etc.
• Advantages :
1. Easy to understand & learn.
2. Less time is required for application creation.
3. It is less prone to errors.
• Disadvantages :
1. Memory consumption is high.
2. Has poor control over Hardware.
3. Less flexible.
Fifth Generation
The fifth-generation languages are also called 5GL. It is based on the
concept of artificial intelligence. It uses the concept that rather than
solving a problem algorithmically, an application can be built to solve
it based on some constraints, i.e., we make computers learn to solve
any problem. Parallel Processing & superconductors are used for this
type of language to make real artificial intelligence.
Examples: PROLOG, LISP, etc.
• Advantages :
1. Machines can make decisions.
2. Programmer effort reduces to solve a problem.
3. Easier than 3GL or 4GL to learn and use.
• Disadvantages :
1. Complex and long code.
2. More resources are required & they are expensive too.