Difference between Low-level and High-level Programming Language
Low-level programming languages and high-level programming languages are two different levels of abstraction in computer programming. Here’s an overview of the differences between them:
- Abstraction Level:
- Low-level programming languages: These languages are closer to the hardware and provide a high degree of control over the computer’s resources. They are typically specific to a particular architecture and require a deep understanding of the hardware. Examples include assembly languages and machine languages.
- High-level programming languages: These languages are designed to be more human-readable and are further away from the hardware. They provide abstractions and built-in functionality that simplify programming tasks. Examples include Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript.
- Syntax and Readability:
- Low-level programming languages: These languages have a concise and low-level syntax, often using mnemonic codes and numerical representations. They are not as easily readable and require a deep understanding of the underlying hardware.
- High-level programming languages: These languages have a more natural and expressive syntax that resembles human language. They use high-level constructs and keywords, making them easier to read and write.
- Portability:
- Low-level programming languages: Programs written in low-level languages are usually highly dependent on the underlying hardware and operating system. They are less portable and may require modifications to run on different systems.
- High-level programming languages: These languages are designed to be portable. Programs written in high-level languages can typically run on multiple platforms with little or no modification.