Software Development
Programming Language
Definition
A programming language is a formal language comprising a set of instructions that produce various kinds of output. Programming languages are used in computer programming to implement algorithms.
Why It Matters
Programming languages are the tools that developers use to communicate with computers. Different languages are designed for different purposes and have different strengths and weaknesses.
Contextual Example
Python is a high-level language known for its readability and is popular for web development, data science, and scripting. C++ is a lower-level language known for its performance and is used for game engines, operating systems, and high-frequency trading.
Common Misunderstandings
- Programming languages can be classified in many ways, such as high-level vs. low-level, or compiled vs. interpreted.
- There are thousands of programming languages, but only a few dozen are widely used.