Computing year 11

Why aren't natural (human) languages suitable for instructing a computer?

• Computers cannot understand all natural languages in the same way

• General ambiguity present in natural languages

• Errors in translation make natural languages unreliable

• This is not true, natural languages can be used and suitable for computers

Answer explanation

Ambiguity in natural languages means that the reason behind certain phrases may not remain the same, depending on context. Ex: Synonyms

What are programming languages and what are they used for?

• A specific set of instructions put together in order to create a makeshift language. The instructions can only be understood by one CPU and vary across different companies

• Languages written for direct translation into a language the computer can understand used to write programs/software

• Languages spoken by programmers to avoid confusion when communicating program documentation in technical terms

• Languages which are only understood by computers and written by them (A.I.). This is also called a computerisation process.

What are the differences between programming languages and natural languages?

• Programming languages can only have one meaning and follow strict syntax. Natural languages may have more than one meaning depending on context and grammar

• Programming languages are made for programmers, while natural languages are made for other people

• Natural languages are strict in grammar and do not allow room for error while programming languages are easy to read and understand

• Programming languages always use a binary system (1/0) while natural languages always use an alphabet

Answer explanation

Syntax is a strict set of rules that code must follow in order to be executed correctly. This helps code to be clear and precise in its intentions

A ____ _____ (programming) ________ is a programming language which is object oriented, that enables a programmer to write instructions which are independent from the computer architecture. This kind of programming language uses English-like statements.

Answer explanation

Object Oriented: Objects are created in HLL programming languages. (Ex: Car Object)

Computer Architecture: Hardware components of a computer. (Ex: CPU)

A ___ _____ (programming) ________ is a programming language which is closely related to the architecture of a computer. This kind of programming language is harder to understand than its counterpart which uses English-like statements.

Answer explanation

Computer Architecture: The hardware components inside a computer. (Ex: RAM)

Some Examples of High Level Languages include:

• Python

• Arthron

• C#

• Assembly

• Java

Answer explanation

Arthron does not exist and Assembly is not a High Level Programming Language.

Some Examples of Low Level Languages include:

• C

• Machine Code

• COBOL

• Java

• Assembly

Answer explanation

Machine Code: Binary

Assembly: Instructions written in mnemonics. (Ex: LDA, ADD, MUL, JNZ)

High Level Languages do not need to be translated, and can be understood directly by a computer.

• True

• False

Low Level Languages do not need to be translated and can be understood by the computer directly.

• True

• False

A program written in a High Level Language is written in a code that requires translation. This raw code is called:

• Disassembled Code

• Executable Code

• Source Code

• Raw Code