programming language

[proh-gram-ing lang-gwij]

noun

1. a high-level language used to write computer programs, as C++ or Python, or, sometimes, an assembly language.

programming language

noun

1. a simple language system designed to facilitate the writing of computer programs See high-level language low-level language machine code

programming language

1. An artificial language used to write instructions that can be translated into machine language and then executed by a computer. English and other natural languages are not used as programming languages because they cannot be easily translated into machine language.

2. ◆ A compiled language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compiler prior to being executed. C++ and SmallTalk are examples of compiled languages.

3. ◆ An interpreted language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compiler prior to being executed. Most scripting and macro languages are interpreted languages.

4. See also program

programming language

1. In computer technology, a set of conventions in which instructions for the machine are written. There are many languages that allow humans to communicate with computers; C++, BASIC, and Java are some common ones.

Word History and Origins

Origin of programming language¹

First recorded in 1955–60