What is the difference between a high level language and a low level language?

A high level language is written in human-oriented English-like keywords. It allows the programmer to use meaningful variable names, predefined functions and libraries and data structures (e.g. arrays/lists). A low level language is close to the hardware, in fact it is not far off the binary instructions given to the processor. It is in many ways significantly more complicated due to the lack of predefined libraries and functions, data structures and readability. Perhaps one of the most awkward parts of L.L.L.s are the fact they change with the processor/architecture of the system. For example AMD processors would have similar but not identical low level languages to Intel processors.

AC

Related Computing A Level answers

All answers ▸

When data is transmitted over long distances, latency can become an issue. Explain what latency is.


In a computer program, a parameter may be passed to a procedure by value. Explain how this method works.


What is the range of denary numbers that can be represented using 8-bit two’s complement binary integers?


Describe the difference between TCP and UDP.