What is programming language?

In this tutorial, we will learn:

• what is programming language,
• types of programming languages,
• examples of programming language,
• use of programming language
• advantages of programming language

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What is programming language?

Programming language is a concept created to help human interact with computer system to perform various tasks with great efficiency, improved productivity in less time.

 

Programming languages can be understood as set of instructions:

• written in human readable format,
• which is later converted to machine readable format by compiling and executing the instructions.
• then machine after understanding these set of instructions perform specified or instructed tasks.

For example, lets consider ATM machine. 

Here you will be first asked to enter your ATM card as shown below:

class ATM {
     public static void main(String[] args){
          System.out.print("Please enter your card");
     }
}

Given is a programming language example in java that instructs the system to print message on screen - "Please enter your card"

 

Howerver, please consider this as a sample program (written in java) for understanding the concept of set of instructions. Actual program implementing ATM functionalities is more compilicated.

 

In above code, there is set of instruction written for computer to understand and print message on screen for user to take action like entering the card. Similarly we can write any logic using programming language.

 

Every programming languages has:

• syntax,
• keywords,
• semantics,
• in-built methods,
• advanteges, and
• limitations

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Types of programming language

Various types of programming languages are:

• Assembly languages
• List-based languages or LISP
• Procedural programming languages
• Object oriented programming languages
• Functional programming
• Query Langauges

Those highlighted in green are in great demand currently. 

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Examples of programming languages

Given below are examples of programming languages:

• Assembly languages   
• List-based languages or LISP → Logo, Arc, Tcl, Common Lisp, etc.
• Procedural programming languages →  C, Cobol, Perl, Go, Fortran, etc.
• Object oriented programming languages → Ruby, Scala, Java, C++, Python, C#, etc.
• Functional programming →  PureScript, Mercury, Miranda, C#, R, Java (after java 8), Python, etc.
• Query Langauges → SQL

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Uses of programming languages

Today the entire world is revolving around any programming languages.

 

Programming languages are used to create:

• Websites
• Mobile apps
• Games
• Embedded systems (hardware+software integration)
• Educational purpose

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Advantages of programming languages

Listed below are advantages of programming languages:

• Programming languages helps you develop website, mobile app, etc. that helps bring the bussiness online. Examples include Amazon.com, Flipkart.com, etc.
• Programming languages helps create embedded systems like Freeze, washing machines, robots, etc. where software interacts with hardware to do amazing tasks.
• You can use knowledge of programming language to develop new programming language that can revolutionize the world.
• Knowledge of programming language can help you land a great job with high remuneration.