Difference between Human Language and High-Level Programming Language

Human Language

• Humans can express language or communicate messages in various ways.
• Communication can occur without sound or words through nonverbal expressions. Such expressions can convey deep meanings without saying a single word.

Key Components of Any Language:

1. Alphabet — Basic characters or symbols used to form words.
2. Lexis (Dictionary) — Vocabulary and definitions.
3. Semantics — Meaning behind words and phrases.
4. Syntax — Rules governing sentence structure.

Computer Language and Instructions:

• Computers require a list of instructions to understand and execute commands, much like training a dog.
• Even though computers are intelligent, they still need precise commands to perform tasks.

High-Level Programming Language:

• Acts as a bridge for humans and computers to interact.
• Humans can write code in a readable format, and the computer can execute it after translating it into machine code.
• Just as Western culture reads from top-to-bottom and left-to-right, computers also evaluate code in the same manner, analyzing it based on alphabet, dictionary, semantics, and syntax.

Purpose of High-Level Programming Languages:

• Provide a language that is simpler than machine language but more structured than natural language.
• Programs written in high-level languages are human-readable and called source code.
• Source code files are plain text files, without any formatting, decorations, or colors like Word files.

Converting Source Code to Machine Code:

There are two ways to translate source code into machine code:

1. Compilation

• Converts the entire source code into machine code at once.
• Output is often in .exe format.
• Faster execution after compilation.

2. Interpretation

• Converts and executes the code line-by-line.
• Slower than compilation.
• Errors are detected when encountered rather than at declaration.

Characteristics of High-Level Programming Languages:

• Use symbols, words, and conventions readable to humans.
• Allow humans to express complex commands to computers.
• Programs written in these languages are called source code, and the files containing them are called source files.

Python as an Interpreted Language:

• Python is an interpreted language inheriting both advantages and disadvantages of interpretation.
• Requires a Python interpreter to run the code.
• Python is free and accessible, making it widely popular.

Scripting Languages:

• Languages designed for interpretation are often called scripting languages.
• Programs written in such languages are referred to as scripts.

Conclusion:

High-level programming languages like Python allow humans to create complex programs in a readable and structured format. These languages act as a medium between humans and computers, translating instructions into machine-readable code through either compilation or interpretation processes.

Source & Credits: Link