Programming Languages

    

     A programming language is a way for programmers to communicate with computers. There are several types of programming languages, ranging from easy to complex. Learning these languages can open a wide variety of possibilities in any industry. From machine language to assembly language, to high-level programming languages, each creates a special skill set for an individual to use. These are especially important to know if a person wants to seek a career in Information Technology or Cybersecurity. In this paper, I will reflect on my experiences with using these different types of programming languages. 

    The first programming language I practiced using was a program called Scratch. Scratch is a high-level block-based visual programming language and website aimed primarily at children as an educational tool for programming. This was my first time using this kind of program and it took me a short while to figure it out. I enjoyed creating the animation, but I did not completely understand what I was doing. I explored all the buttons and navigated my way through the website to figure out how to work it. It was a little difficult to create 30 blocks, but I was able to create something simple. I realized there is a lot more that goes into computer programming than meets the eye. It certainly is a complex skill to learn, and I am interested in venturing further into it.  

    I found the exercises in the text to be easier to follow than figuring out how to use Scratch. The text provided instructions and explained how each language worked. According to the text, machine language are instructions given to the CPU in 0’s and 1’s because that is what the CPU understands (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019). Machine language was used on the first computer in which the programmers would have to input 0’s and 1’s by manually connecting wires or configuring switches. All programs and programming languages eventually generate or run programs in machine language. Assembly language is a textual human-understandable representation of a machine language's 0's and 1's, as in: Add M[5] M[6] M[7]. This language is used to directly manipulate hardware, access specialized processor instructions, or evaluate critical performance issues.  

High-level languages, such as Python, are programming languages that have higher-level instructions than assembly or machine. An example would be C = (5/9) * (F - 32) (Vahid & Lysecky, 2019). High-level languages are designed to be used by the human operator or programmer. These languages are easier to understand because it is the closest programming language to the natural language a human can understand. However, it does require a translator to convert the source code to the native code a CPU understands (Verma, 2021). High-level languages are the most used in today’s society. Several examples include Python, Java, C++, and Pascal. This is the language I found easiest to use. I enjoyed learning how to use Python in the text exercise. The instructions were the easiest to follow.  

In my opinion, the most popular language used is Java. It has been around since 1996 and I have used it in almost every job I’ve had, including my current job. Java is a platform-independent, object-oriented programming language.  Developers use Java to construct applications in laptops, data centers, game consoles, scientific supercomputers, cell phones, and other devices. You can use it to easily build mobile applications or run on desktop applications that use different operating systems and servers, such as Linux or Windows.  

In this ever-growing tech world we live in, learning a programming language can help keep up with the growth. There are many reasons why learning to code is important. Coding can help you think analytically and solve problems more effectively.  I know that it will help me on my journey toward my degree in Cybersecurity. I hope to develop more experience with high-level programming and continue to learn more about the tech world.  

References 

Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2019). Computing Technology For All. ZyBooks. 

Verma, S. (2021). Difference Between High Level Language and Low Level Language. ProgrammerBay. https://programmerbay.com/difference-between-high-level-language-and-low-level-language/