THE FIVE GENERATION PROGRAMMING
LANGUAGE
There are
five generation programming languages:
Machine language is a low level language (native
language of the computer) that is machine dependent. it is not easily
transferable to other computers. Assemble
language was developed after the machine language which programmers use
mnemonic code instead of numbers such as P for Programming. It is uses symbolic
address for locating files. Before the computer can execute a program using
assembly language, it must be converted to machine language. Programmers use assembler
to convert it. In some cases, assembly language include macros which generates
many machine language instructions for a single assembly machine language
instruction. Currently, to speed up the performance of critical task, assembly
languages are used. Procedural language
was developed as a result of the shortcomings of the machine and assembly line.
The programmer writes instructions using English words to tell the computer
what to do and how to do it. Programmers
must convert it to machine language using a compiler before the computer can
execute any program example: C and COBOL. 4th
generation (procedural) enables users to access data in a database. User
are able to develop programs with fewer commands which makes it easier to use.
SQL is a popular 4QL, which allows users to operate database management
systems. 5th generation
(natural programming language) uses human languages: English, German and it
translates the human voice into codes that the computer understands making
users have more human interaction with computers.
Developing Web
pages including HTML AND EHTML: HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a
formatting language for formatting documents for display on the web. EHTML
(Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) is basically to allow mobile devices
users to view web sites on their devices. XML (Extensible Markup Language)
allows the web browser to display the contents of a web page in a form
appropriate for the display device. WML (Wireless Markup Language) is normally
used by smart phones as their markup language and it’s normally used by
wireless devices. Scripting language
A language that is easy to learn and use because it has been interpreted.
Example is C++ AND Java. DHTML: Dynamic HTML allows web developers to make a
webpage more interactive and add more graphical beauty to it.
There are
six steps in program development life cycle: analyze requirements: The programmer studies the problem and
determine the requirements. Afterwards critically examine the requirements and
develop alternative solutions. Design
solution: The programmer comes out with the best solution to the problem. Validate
design: The programmer checks for the accuracy of the design. Implement the design: The stage where the
programmer uses a program development tool to generate codes that translate the
design into a computer program and finally create a user interface. Test
solution: To ensure an error free program, it must be tested. Errors or
bugs include syntax and logic errors. Document
solution: Under this step the programmer basically review the program code
and review all documentations.
CONTROL
STRUCTURES OR CONSTRUCTS explains the work a program is to perform. Basically
there are 3 control structures: sequence, selection and repetition. Sequence explains the order in which
actions (input, process and output) must be carried out in that none should be
left out. Selection control
structure base on some conditions and tells the program which actions to take.
The types are: “if-then-else” and the case. If the program base on the
“if-then-else” structure, it considers one or two possibilities that is either
true or false so the program performs based on the results of the condition.
With case control structure, a condition yield one of three or more
possibilities. Repetition: once certain conditions are
met, this control structure enables the program to perform one or more actions
repeatedly. It has two forms: do-while and do-until. The do-while repeats and
action or more as long as it is based on a true condition and the do-until test
the condition and never execute when the condition is false.
DESIGN TOOLS
they are used by programmers to develop a solution algorithm. Program flow
charts and pseudo code are the two structured design tools. Flow charts
graphically shows the logic in a solution algorithm. There are standards today
which specifies symbols for various operations in a program logic. The flow
chart software makes it easy to update flowchart. Pseudo code uses a condensed
form of English to convey program logic. To identify program structures pseudo
codes uses indentation and it is also another form of showing program logic.
In summary,
we have five generation of programming languages: machine, assembly language,
procedural, non-procedural and natural language. We can use HTML and XHTML, XML
and WML, scripting languages and DHMTL to develop web pages. Also the steps
involved in program development cycle are: analyze requirement, design
solution, validate design, implement design, test solution and document
solution. Finally in designing solutions to programing problems, the basic
control structures are sequence, selection and repetition and the design tools
are the pseudo code and flow charts.
