Programming language: Difference between revisions

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imported>Markus Baumeister
(A language does not translate but represent and other changes. Interpreter description still looks strange)
imported>Markus Baumeister
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=== Programming Language ===
=== Programming Language ===
A programming language is a way to represent in a reproducible way actions the programmer intends the computing system to perform. The program written in a programming language typically has to be translated into a code the central processing unit [[CPU]] can understand and execute. The programming language allows to define [[data structures]] and combine them with logic applied to them. Generally a computer language reflects the state of development of the hardware and its processing power.
A programming language is a way to represent in a reproducible way actions the programmer intends the computing system to perform. The program written in a programming language typically has to be translated into a code the central processing unit [[CPU]] can understand and execute. The programming language allows to define [[data structure]]s and combine them with logic applied to them. Generally a computer language reflects the state of development of the hardware and its processing power.


Programming languages can generally be divided into two categories:
Programming languages can generally be divided into two categories:
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'''Compiled''' languages must first be translated by a '''[[compiler]]''' from human readable [[source code]] to an [[object code]]. A '''[[linker]]''' is often applied to this code to assemble it with existing libraries and runtime environments into a form the computer can run.
'''Compiled''' languages must first be translated by a '''[[compiler]]''' from human readable [[source code]] to an [[object code]]. A '''[[linker]]''' is often applied to this code to assemble it with existing libraries and runtime environments into a form the computer can run.


'''Interpreted''' languages rely on an application, the [[interpreter]], that translates the source code into machine code through pre-existing interfaces. For example, an interpreter would read a line such as this: <code>PRINT "Cookies are yummy!"</code> and call the predefined, '''platform independent''' function <code>PRINT</code> inside the interpreter itself where the interpreter then executes the '''platform dependent''' [[function call]].
'''Interpreted''' languages rely on an application, the '''[[interpreter]]''', that translates the source code into machine code through pre-existing interfaces. For example, an interpreter would read a line such as this: <code>PRINT "Cookies are yummy!"</code> and call the predefined, '''platform independent''' function <code>PRINT</code> inside the interpreter itself where the interpreter then executes the '''platform dependent''' [[function call]].


*'''Compilers'''
*'''Compilers'''

Revision as of 18:31, 26 February 2007

Programming Language

A programming language is a way to represent in a reproducible way actions the programmer intends the computing system to perform. The program written in a programming language typically has to be translated into a code the central processing unit CPU can understand and execute. The programming language allows to define data structures and combine them with logic applied to them. Generally a computer language reflects the state of development of the hardware and its processing power.

Programming languages can generally be divided into two categories:

Compiled languages must first be translated by a compiler from human readable source code to an object code. A linker is often applied to this code to assemble it with existing libraries and runtime environments into a form the computer can run.

Interpreted languages rely on an application, the interpreter, that translates the source code into machine code through pre-existing interfaces. For example, an interpreter would read a line such as this: PRINT "Cookies are yummy!" and call the predefined, platform independent function PRINT inside the interpreter itself where the interpreter then executes the platform dependent function call.

All items come with a short description and a typical way to use the language.