Computer Language Translators

We know that there are two main types of programming languages. We know that a computer can only execute a program that is in the machine language. Therefore every language program must be translated by some special program before it is actually executed on a computer.

Decoding or Translating is the process of converting a program written in a high level or a low level language into machine code, so that a computer can understand it easily. There are a number of translators used for different programming languages. Some language software come with built-in language translator while others are translated separately.

For example,

In order to translate Machine or Assembly language into a machine code, we use an Assembler. For high-level language programs we use a compiler or an interpreter.

1. Assembler:

These language translators translate low-level language programs into machine code. Assemblers are dependent on the configuration of a Microprocessor.

2. Compiler:

Compiler complies all the programs (High level language programs) into machine language before the program is executed. Then Assembler further translates this machine language for execution. Number of programming languages use compiler to compile their programs. For example: COBOL, FORTRAN, PASCAL and C/C++.

3. Interpreter:

As compiler translates programs into a machine language a machine language all at once, so before the programs the run, Interpreter translates the programs one line at a time as they are being run. For example, if in a program, one instruction is to be executed hundred times, it must be translated into machine language at all those hundred times.

Computer Languages

The purpose of computer language is to communicate with the computer. We actually develop computer programs in computer language in order to give the computer the commands what to do. There are two main types of computer languages.

1. Low Level Programming Language:

A low level language is very close to a microprocessor (CPU). There are two low-level languages i.e. Machine Language and Assembly Language.

Computer directly understands Machine Language as this language uses only two symbols i.e. 0 & 1. Assembly Language is very similar to the Machine Language but easier than that.

2. High Level Programming Language:

High level programming language differs from a low level  language in a way that a high level language is close to the human beings and far from the Microprocessor. Some common high-level languages are:

• BASIC (Beginner's All purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)
• COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language).
• FORTRAN (Formula Translation),
• PASCAL
• C/C++

3. Generations of Computer Languages:

We divide the development of programming language into generations. We will discuss all these generations one by one; we use 1GL notation for a first generation language, 2GL for a second generation language and so on.

Generation	Language	Period
1GL	Machine Language	1940's---1950's
2GL	Assembly Language	1950's---1960's
3GL	High level programming language	1960's---1970's
4GL	Very high level languages	1970's---1980's
5GL	Al-Based languages, Object Oriented languages	1980's---To date

4. Machine Language:

This is the first programming language. This language is very difficult for common people because it deals in 0's and 1's only. All instructions are given by using the binary number system.

5. Assembly Language:

Grace Hopper developed this language in early 1950's. This is the 2GL. This language uses short hand for doing commands. For example, to do Multiplication, Addition or Subtraction, the commands are MUL, ADD and SUB.

This language is dependent on the microprocessor chip. Although this language is also not so easy yet it is the most powerful and speedy language.

6. High Level Language:

There are number of High-level languages available, which FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, C/C++, etc.

7. FORTRAN:

In early days of computers, the main goal was complicated calculations in solving problems of science and mathematics. So, the first major high-level programming language was FORTRAN (Formula Translation). It was developed in 1956. The latest version of FORTRAN is FORTRAN 90 which is being used in modern computers nowadays.

8. COBOL:

COBOL stands for Common Business Oriental Language. It was developed in late 1950's. As compared to FORTRAN, it was the easiest language at that time because its instructions looked very much similiar to common English. It has very powerful facilities for file handing and business arithmetic.

9. BASIC:

BASIC is almost always considered to be the first programming language that a programmer learns. It was developed in 1964. As it is very easy as compared to other programming languages of that time, so it is used to teach computer programming to beginners, as its name also implies:

Beginner's All purpose Symbolic Instruction Code

There are a number of BASIC languages developed by different companies, for example: T-BASIC, Q-BASIC AND GW-BASIC etc.

10. C/C++:

Dennis Ritchie first developed C in 1972. C is the next version of language B. Different C languages are available nowadays for IBM, IBM compatible, Unix and Macintosh etc. C++ is an object oriented programming language and it is based on C language.

It is the most popular programming language in developing commercial programs such as the software used in electronic devices.

11. Very High Level Languages:

These languages are commonly known as 4GL. These languages made the programming very easy because of their visual and object oriented approach. These languages are Visual Basic, Visual C/C++, etc.

12. Al-Based Language:

Al stands for Artificial Intelligence. These languages are based on a special subject of computer sciences, i.e., A.l. In this, we make our computer Artificiality Intelligent. Examples of these languages are PROLOG (Programming Logic) and ADA (named after Lady Ada Byro) etc. A.l. Based Languages are used for different purposes, such as to give intelligence to the robots.

Computer Professionals

We have seen that many people today know how to operate and use computers efficiently. There are many who build their career in the field of computers and become computer professionals.

In this post we shall look at more of these professionals.

1. Computer Programmer:

Computer cannot do anything without knowing correct instructions. A computer programmer writes instructions that tell the computer what to do.

A programmer writes the lists of instructions required to solve particular problems. Programmer must know the languages of computer.

2. System Analyst:

A system analyst works with a company to develop a plan to use a computers in a particular business. A system analyst must study and analyze jobs that are done and how computers can be integrated into business effectively to get these jobs done efficiently. Once the needs of an organization are identified, a system analyst will make suggestions as to the type of computers needed, what jobs they will do, where they should be placed and what kind of software programs will be needed.

3. System Manager:

The system manager is in-charge of supervising the working of a computer system in an organization or business. System manager makes sure that all computer activities run smoothly. It is the system manager's job to keep abreast of all new software and hardware development in order to maintain the most current and effective computer systems.

4. Computer Engineer:

A computer engineer is a person who designs and builds computer, peripherals, chips, and circuit boards.

A computer engineer must have a degree in electrical engineering or electronics.

It is the responsibility of all computer engineers to put all the parts the parts of a computer together in the right way so that the computer parts are interconnected and function properly.

5. Computer Technician:

When computer engineers design computer parts, these parts must be tested by computer technicians for any flaws or defects.

A computer technician is specially trained to repair all the hardware parts of a computer system.

Types of Computer

In today's world computer is a necessary requirement not only for the people related to business but other fields as well and because of that we see computers everywhere nowadays. Computer are gradually becoming a part of our lives. We can classify computers on the basis of construction. We can classify computers in three sections and discuss them separately.

1. Digital Computers:

Digital computers work on the basis of two states, that is, "0" and "1" representing "OFF" and "ON" respectively. In fact, digital computers use electronic circuits, which can be distinguished by two values. Examples of digital computers are digital watches, digital scales and calculators, etc.

2. Analog Computers:

These computers work on the basis of signals. A thermometer is an analog device. Analog computers measure physical values, which constantly change. For example, an analog process is used at petrol pumps, which indicates the quantity of petrol delivered. Another example is speedometer of a car, etc.

3. Hybrid Computers:

These computers have useful features of both the digital and analog computers. For example, in intensive care unit (ICU) of hospitals, analog devices measure patient's blood pressure, temperature and other analog information. After that, measurements are converted into digits and then come into the digital components, which indicate the patient's vital symptoms. It helps sending signals into the computers in doctor's room to keep the doctor informed about the patient's condition.