The Eric Normand Podcast What is a high-level language?
Aug 15, 2022
Explore the fascinating journey of high-level programming languages and their evolution from assembly languages. Discover how these languages empower developers by emphasizing problem-solving over machine details. Dive into the impact of language design on programming efficiency in complex systems, and learn how a better understanding can enhance your coding experience.
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Historical Definition of High-Level Language
- The original high-level languages refer to early compiled languages like Fortran and C, distinct from machine and assembly code.
- Saying C is "not high-level" ignores that it already belongs to this broad high-level language category starting from the 1950s.
High-Level Means Easier Thinking
- A high-level language is one you can think in, focusing more on the problem than on machine details.
- Higher-level languages let you concentrate on domain problems by managing low-level complexities automatically.
Garbage Collection Elevates Languages
- Automatic memory management like garbage collection raises a language’s level by freeing you from manual memory tasks.
- This lets you think about your real problem, not low-level details like pointers and freeing memory.