HIGH-LEVEL LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING PARADIGMS

Programming languages come in many forms or 'paradigms'. Each form of language offers advantages over other types and each one of course has some limitations as well. You need to know the main classes of programming and why you would use one type over another. The main classes of programming languages are low level languages procedural object-orientated languages

Low Level Languages What are Mnemonics? A Mnemonic is an abbreviation of operation They are used to program, with code such as ADD or MOV Features of Low Level Languages They are CPU specific, and make direct use of internal registers, as well as using mnemonics and many different memory modes. An example would be Little Man Computer Pros Low Level Languages have close control of the CPU, and can be very efficient due to the easy optimisation of code Cons Difficult to use as programming commands can be hard to understand, and the programmer needs to know a lot of detail about the CPU. They are also the least portable code.

Procedural Languages Features of a Procedural Language A procedural language gives instructions step by step. The program will ‘do this, then this, then this’. An example would be Python Pros They are good for general purpose programming, allow for a good level of control with little knowledge of the CPU, and are portable. Cons Some problems however is that there is no room for error in the code and they aren’t as efficient as other programming languages

Object Orientated Languages What is a class? A class is a set template of methods and variables in a particular kind of object. An object is a specific instance of class, and contains real values instead of variables Properties and Methods A Property is a field of objects or classes that have set getter or setter routines. Methods belong to objects or classes and usually express the verbs of the object or class. Languages Java, Python, C++, Visual Basic and Ruby are all examples of OO languages Pros Makes it easier to provide working code, other coders do not need to know how the class works internally, code can be re-used, and its portable. Cons Complex, can take time and skill to make a efficient and flexible class. They also aren’t as compact and efficient as writing code into a low level language

Summary