Second-generation programming language
Encyclopedia
Second-generation programming language is a generational way to categorise assembly language
s. The term was coined to provide a distinction from higher level third-generation programming language
s (3GL) such as COBOL
and earlier machine code languages
. Second-generation programming languages have the following properties:
Second-generation languages are sometimes used in kernels and device drivers (though C
is generally employed for this in modern kernels), but more often find use in extremely intensive processing such as games, video editing, graphic manipulation/rendering.
One method for creating such code is by allowing a compiler to generate a machine-optimised assembly language version of a particular function. This code is then hand-tuned, gaining both the brute-force insight of the machine optimizing algorithm and the intuitive abilities of the human optimiser.
Assembly language
An assembly language is a low-level programming language for computers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other programmable devices. It implements a symbolic representation of the machine codes and other constants needed to program a given CPU architecture...
s. The term was coined to provide a distinction from higher level third-generation programming language
Third-generation programming language
A third-generation programming language is a refinement of a second-generation programming language. The second generation of programming languages brought logical structure to software. The third generation brought refinements to make the languages more programmer-friendly...
s (3GL) such as COBOL
COBOL
COBOL is one of the oldest programming languages. Its name is an acronym for COmmon Business-Oriented Language, defining its primary domain in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments....
and earlier machine code languages
First-generation programming language
A first-generation programming language is a machine-level programming language.Originally, no translator was used to compile or assemble the first-generation language. The first-generation programming instructions were entered through the front panel switches of the computer system....
. Second-generation programming languages have the following properties:
- The code can be read and written by a programmer. To run on a computer it must be converted into a machine readable form, a process called assembly.
- The language is specific to a particular processor family and environment.
Second-generation languages are sometimes used in kernels and device drivers (though C
C (programming language)
C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
is generally employed for this in modern kernels), but more often find use in extremely intensive processing such as games, video editing, graphic manipulation/rendering.
One method for creating such code is by allowing a compiler to generate a machine-optimised assembly language version of a particular function. This code is then hand-tuned, gaining both the brute-force insight of the machine optimizing algorithm and the intuitive abilities of the human optimiser.