Summary
Highlights
Code is a set of instructions for computers. It's a way of conveying information using symbols, like binary code for computers, colors for traffic lights, or even our genetic code. Morse code is another example of translating symbols to text.
Human natural languages are different from what computers understand. To give instructions to computers, we need to use a programming language. While technology like Alexa is bridging the gap, programming languages are essential for instructing computers.
Programming languages are categorized as high-level (easier for humans to read) or low-level (easier for computers to read). This spectrum dictates how accessible a language is to human understanding versus machine understanding.
Interpreted languages translate code line by line. This allows for real-time error correction but can be a slower process. It's like giving instructions one by one, allowing adjustments as you go.
Compiled languages translate the entire code into machine code at once. This can take time initially but results in faster execution afterward. However, finding mistakes after compilation can be more challenging.
Markup languages, such as HTML, use tags to format and design sections of a document, commonly used for web pages. The tags are not displayed when the document is shown.
Query languages are specifically designed for databases to search and filter information efficiently.
Processors primarily understand machine language (binary). Assembly language is a low-level language designed for specific processors, representing instructions in symbolic code that is more understandable than raw binary for humans.