machine language

[newbee]

Ok, a computer only works with machine language, and I understand why another language would be developed because no one could memorize all the sequencing of 0 an 1 in machine language, but why are there so many different languages? Just started learning about computers.

[Paul Komski]

Just a simple answer. History; with the development of programming for special situations and to make programming easier and with fewer errors. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by Paul Komski (edited 02-09-2002).]

[Beno]

Newbee,

There are so many languages out there because they all suit different purposes. For example if I wanted to develop a real time piece of software, such as for example, the software that goes into a Boeing 747-400 I would most probably use a language such as C or C++. If I wanted to develop an application that would run on the net or on many different computer types such as Unix, Mac's and IBM PC's I would use Java, because Java is designed exactly for that task in mind.

If I wanted to develop a disk controller, I would probably use an assembly language that is specific to some class of CPU's such as say, Intel's.
There would be no point using a Object Orientated language in the above example because it would be too slow. Assembly language is one step above machine language (0's and 1's).

Lastly, if I wanted to incorporate some features on a website that report back to the server, or that query the server where the website is stored, I would most probably use a scripting language. A scripting language is not a fully fledged programing language but does offer the same constructs and styles as one of these languages. These type of languages were desgined to do simple tasks such as, checking username and passwords or processing your particular preferences on a portal site each time you go there. Each script is in general 80 lines or less.

Hope that helped you.

Beno

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"Don't stop till you get enough"

[newbee]

Thank you Paul, Thank you Beno, I appreciate all of the information.

[Paul Komski]

Hi again Newbee. It's hard to find a good reference that isn't too simple and also not too technical. This Software History and Development (http://www.digitalcentury.com/encyclo/update/software.html) seems quite well put together and "middle of the road" if you're interested. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif



[This message has been edited by Paul Komski (edited 02-09-2002).]

[iisbob]

If I wanted to develop an application that would run on the net or on many different computer types such as Unix, Mac's and IBM PC's I would use Java, because Java is designed exactly for that task in mind.

Actually java is based on C's object oriented language; windows is written in C ( 2k in C++, XP in C# ) Basicly it allows small programs to be compiled into larger programs-which made it a very popular and powerful programming language.

In the old days you used to have to know BASIC , then Machine language, then they developed C where you could compile the parts instead of writing each individual code line by line.

There are several easy codes out there to learn if you'd like, java just happens to be the most popular right now, and if you know C then you're already familiar with java programming.

Python is good beginners code, and it's free. Visual Basic is good to know if you need to write small " scripts ", just another term for small programs.



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iisbob

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[newbee]

Thank you Paul, Thank you iisbob, I am just starting out and I appreciate all of the help