Different types of coding languages

Author

Hiresh Siddan
July 17, 2024

Different Types of Coding Languages

Introduction

Coding languages are important when it comes to the world of technology. They are essential to creating websites and mobile apps, analyzing data, and developing automated processes. Coding languages are classified and described by their syntax. If someone is trying to understand the complex world of computer science and technology, understanding what a coding language is and how it works would be one of the first steps. In this article, we set out to learn a coding language and how it works. We will also explore the different types of coding languages and the differences between how they are and how they can be used. 

What is a Coding Language?

Coding languages, which are also known as programming languages, are in simple terms, a set of instructions. They are written by people to “communicate” with a computer, giving it instructions on what to do. This set of instructions is also referred to as “code”. There are multiple different types of coding languages, and each of them has a unique syntax that programmers have to be familiar with to accurately communicate with the computer. Throughout the years, programming has evolved into many different languages, each with its own syntax, each of which is used in its way. Examples of coding languages include Python and JavaScript. 

High-Level vs. Low-Level Languages

All coding languages can be divided into two categories: high-level languages and low-level languages. Each of these is very different and each serves its purpose. 

High-level languages are designed to be understood by people. This makes it easier and more efficient for people to use high-level languages for their programming needs. High-level languages look similar to human languages, they have similar structures and they also have words. Examples of high-level languages include Python, JavaScript, R, and SQL. High-level languages are most useful for web, application, or game development. On the other hand, low-level languages are closer to a machine’s hardware. They are similar to the machine’s set architecture. Low-level languages are much harder for people to understand. This makes it a lot less efficient for the programmer. However, low-level languages are directly understood by computers. Examples of low-level languages include Assembly, C, C++, and Fortran. Most low-level languages consist of binary code (the numbers 0 and 1). Lots of knowledge about hardware and extensive attention to detail are needed to be able to code in low-level languages. That’s why it is hard for programmers to use them. Another thing to consider when comparing high-level and low-level languages is maintenance. High-level languages are designed so that humans can understand them better, which makes maintaining them doable. But, low-level languages are a lot more complex which makes them more demanding. Portability is also a factor that shows the differences between high-level and low-level language. High-level language code can be written in various hardware and platforms without changing much. This is because high-level languages are designed to be translated into machine code by the hardware. Low-level languages are not portable. They are designed to only be run on a certain hardware. If you try to run it on a different hardware, many changes are needed to make it successful. Overall, low-level and high-level languages are each unique and used for different purposes. High-level languages are used when they need to be portable, easy to read, and when they need to be used for a variety of applications. On the other hand, low-level languages are the best choice when you need to be able to directly control the computer’s hardware. 

Classifications for Languages

In this article, I am going to go over 5 different classifications that programming languages can be sorted into. They include procedural, object-oriented, functional, scripting, and logic languages. Procedural programming is the standard form of programming that is used by most people. Procedural code is normally composed of a series of instructions written by humans for the computer to follow. In procedural programming, one can organize code in a way that it can be reused. The benefits of using procedural programming are its modularity and the ability to use variables, loops, and conditionals. Examples of procedural languages include C, Pascal, and BASIC. Object-oriented programming (OOP) has many principles and concepts, and it can take an entire article on its own, but I’m just going to cover the basics. OOP is a type of programming that is centered around objects and data whereas other types of programming are focused around functions and logic. OOP is primarily used for manufacturing and design. OOP developers' first step when starting a code is to decide what objects they want to manipulate and to figure out a way to connect them. This first step is also called data modeling. Now, let's move on to functional programming. Functional programming is a style of programming that uses a series of functions to fix complicated issues. A function is something that takes an input value and converts it into an output value. Functional programming is a result of the development of Lambda Calculus. The overall goal of functional code is to solve a problem, and it does that using functions because LOOP and conditional statements are not supported. Scripting languages are a type of programming language where coders provide scripts (a set of instructions) to the computer to develop mobile and website applications. Scripting languages are not very unique from other languages, the main difference is that the computer runs the code at a special time, analyzing each line of code one by one. Also, the code is run by an interpreter rather than a compiler. And finally, the last form of programming we are going to talk about is logic programming. Logic languages are a type of programming language that is based on logic. Logic programming uses lines of code that follow logic. All the lines of code follow certain facts and rules. Before you run the code through the computer, the computer needs to know some of the logic beforehand. By understanding the main differences between all of these types of languages, programmers can decide which one will be the best fit for their needs. 

Conclusion

By reading this article, you have gained a solid foundation of the different types of programming languages there are, and if you are thinking of programming, you will be able to decide which type of language will best support your needs. Each type of language is unique and has its method of use and applications. Whether you are just a beginner in the world of programming, or a master with plenty of experience, knowing the different types of coding languages will be an essential tool that you can store in your brain. 

References

Pedamkar, Priya. “High Level Languages vs Low Level Languages (Infographics).” EDUCBA, 17 Apr. 2023, www.educba.com/high-level-languages-vs-low-level-languages/. 

Veeraraghavan, Sruthi. “20 Best Programming Languages in 2024 [Ultimate List].” Simplilearn.Com, Simplilearn, 27 June 2024, www.simplilearn.com/best-programming-languages-start-learning-today-article.