Generations of Programming Languages

1. The Five Generations of Programming Languages

2. First Generation (1940-1956) Machine Languages First Generation Languages use a binary code that consists of strings of only zeroes (0) and ones. (1). The use of binary code is difficult to learn and use. The first computers uses vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory.

3. Second Generation (1956-1963) Assembly Languages Second Generation Languages uses mnemonics code that consists of very short words for commands. Assembly language programs need to be converted into machine language by an assembler before it can be run. The vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors since they are more superior, smaller, faster, cheaper, energy efficient and more reliable.

4. Third Generation (1964-1971) High – Level Languages Third Generation Languages also refereed to as high – level languages introduced data structures and control structures . Third generation languages are portable or machine independent where a program writ- ten from one computer can also be use by another computer however the source code must be recompiled by a language compiler by the other computer. This generation uses integrated circuits . Fortran, Algol 60 & 68, Pascal C and ADA are examples of this.

5. Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors Declarative Languages Fourth Generation Languages are more advance than traditional high – level Programming languages because it uses English – like commands that do not require traditional input-process-output. The programmers focuses on what needs to be done rather than how to do it and it also incorporates graphi – cal development environments. This generation uses micro - processors where thousand and thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. Standard ML, Lisp, SQL and visual basic are example of this.

6. Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Fifth Generation Languages are basically an outgrowth of artificial intelligence research from the 1980s. The approach is to build a program that implements a specific algorithm to solve problems. Artificial Intelligence