Last updated on Mar 8, 2024
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What are high-level languages?
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What are low-level languages?
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What are the advantages of high-level languages?
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What are the disadvantages of high-level languages?
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What are the advantages of low-level languages?
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What are the disadvantages of low-level languages?
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Here’s what else to consider
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If you are interested in computer engineering, you might have wondered how to choose between high-level and low-level programming languages. These terms refer to how close a language is to the hardware and the human logic. In this article, you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each type, some examples of popular languages, and some tips to help you decide which one suits your needs and goals.
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- K. O. IT Professional | Senior Consultant | Software Engineer | Technical Writer | Author | Teacher | Seeker of Truth 5
- Zachery Cole Lead Software Engineer at Nice CXone 3
- Al Leitch Desktop Support | Technical Helpdesk | Technical Support 1
1 What are high-level languages?
High-level languages are designed to be more readable, expressive, and portable than low-level languages. They use abstract syntax, data structures, and control flow that are closer to human language and logic. They also handle memory management, input/output, and error handling for you. Some examples of high-level languages are Python, Java, C#, Ruby, and JavaScript.
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2 What are low-level languages?
Low-level languages are closer to the hardware and the machine code. They use binary, hexadecimal, or assembly language to directly manipulate the memory, registers, and instructions of the processor. They require more manual control and optimization, but they also offer more speed, efficiency, and flexibility. Some examples of low-level languages are C, C++, Assembly, and Fortran.
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- K. O. IT Professional | Senior Consultant | Software Engineer | Technical Writer | Author | Teacher | Seeker of Truth
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Honestly, I wouldn't refer to any of these languages listed here (C, C++, Assembly, and Fortran) as low level languages, except Assembly Language.
UnhelpfulLike Like Celebrate Support Love Insightful Funny 5 - Al Leitch Desktop Support | Technical Helpdesk | Technical Support
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Not sure what you mean by using binary/hexadecimal/assembly language. Assembly language is one step above binary. Hexadecimal is used for defining data values and can also define code bytes in a buffer, but usually one would code in assembly instead of hex values. As for binary, unless one is doing instruction encoding, you would be coding in assembly and your assembler would compile it to binary. It is however possible to define binary values in assembly language, just like hex values.As for C/C++, their compilers can either compile directly to binary OR compile to assembly language which then gets compiled by an included assembler.Not sure why Fortran is included here.
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3 What are the advantages of high-level languages?
High-level languages have several advantages that make them suitable for many applications and domains. They are easier to learn, write, read, debug, and maintain. They are more portable and compatible across different platforms and devices. They have more libraries, frameworks, and tools that support various functionalities and features. They also enable faster development and prototyping.
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- Al Leitch Desktop Support | Technical Helpdesk | Technical Support
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110% agree, even as someone who loves assembly language. Especially in 2024. While C/C++ has access to the above features, assembly language tends to lag far behind. Assemblers need SDKs and DDK header files converted to .INC files (assembly version of .H files) and existing converter tools tend to lag behind. Assembly language doesnt have builtin support for OOP. Tools for assemblers tend to be more basic than ones for HLLs. Assembly language also doesnt have as much community when it comes to x64 windows and far less for Android and IOS.
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4 What are the disadvantages of high-level languages?
High-level languages also have some drawbacks that limit their performance and control. They are slower and less efficient than low-level languages, as they require more resources and overhead to run. They are less precise and reliable, as they depend on the compiler or interpreter to translate them into machine code. They are also more vulnerable to security and compatibility issues, as they expose more details and dependencies to the user.
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5 What are the advantages of low-level languages?
Low-level languages have some benefits that make them ideal for certain tasks and systems. They are faster and more efficient than high-level languages, as they execute directly on the hardware without any intermediate layer. They are more precise and reliable, as they give you full control and access to the memory, registers, and instructions. They are also more secure and compatible, as they hide more details and dependencies from the user.
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- Zachery Cole Lead Software Engineer at Nice CXone
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Low-level languages are not necessarily more secure. They can be more secure since they tend to have fewer layers between the code and the actual hardware. That being said, low level languages often require the user to manage memory themselves or have direct hardware control, which can be a source of security vulnerabilities due to human error.
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6 What are the disadvantages of low-level languages?
Low-level languages also have some challenges that make them harder to use and maintain. They are more difficult to learn, write, read, debug, and update. They are less portable and compatible across different platforms and devices. They have fewer libraries, frameworks, and tools that support various functionalities and features. They also require more development and testing time.
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7 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
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