Do you know what low-level or first generation language is? Would you like to learn low-level language? In this article we’re going to explain to you what low-level programming language is, the types that currently exist, and their features and functions.
What is low-level language?
In the first place, you should know that a low-level language is a programming language. A low-level programming language is one where its instructions have direct control over the hardware and therefore their function depends on the physical structure of the computers that support them.
The use of the term low doesn’t mean that this language is less important than a high-level one; it simply means that there is less abstraction between the language and the hardware.
To help you understand better, here’s a general example: low-level languages are used to programme tasks or transcendental functions of operating systems, device drivers or real-time applications.
Low-level programming languages: examples
The term ‘low-level language’ doesn’t refer to a particular language, instead it encompasses several types of languages. There are three different types. We’ll explain this below, in order from lower to higher complexity, together with some low-level programming languages examples so it’s clear to you.
- The first one is the well-known Binary Code, which is the most basic and forms part of all information systems. It’s very popular, since it’s very easy to use. You’re sure to have come across it on more than one occasion. It only uses the numbers 0 and 1 to form the code. The 1 represents “everything” while the 0 represents “nothing”.
- The second low-level programming language is machine language: It’s also formed using ones (1) and zeros (0) and, as its name suggests, it’s the code that directly communicates instructions to the computer (CPU). Using this language is essential since it’s the one used to literally send all the tasks it has to do.
- In third place we have assembly languages, also known as mnemonics. These are the first level of abstraction. These codes need a tool such as an assembler to translate them into machine language so that the CPU can run them. Also, these aren’t programmes that are directly executable by the computer.
Low-level language instructions in general are an abbreviation of the instruction that they symbolise and correspond directly (one-to-one) to the same instructions that they represent. The code that comes out of an assembly language compilation generates an executable binary machine code.
Now you know all the types of low-level languages there are. Any other language won’t be low-level.
Below, we briefly explain what middle-level languages are.
Middle-level languages:
Middle-level languages bind the gap between low and high-level languages. They have the advantages of both and eliminate or reduce the issues that each one can have separately. These languages are used to develop different applications or functionalities such as, for example, spreadsheets, operating systems, database managers, etc.
Examples of middle-level languages: C, Basic. The following are also considered middle-level languages despite being higher level than the two previously mentioned: C++, Fortran, Cobol, PHP, Lisp.
Low-level language features
Low-level language has many advantages. It’s a simple and very adaptable code, with direct instructions that are easy to convert and, as if that weren’t enough, it runs at high speed.
On the other hand, low-level language also has some disadvantages. For example, this language is too close to the hardware, which makes it harder to structure some programmes. You need to be very careful when using it to avoid making mistakes that could significantly increase the work and revision of the code.
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