Low-Level Programming Language
A low-level programming language is a type of programming language that provides little or no abstraction from a computers instruction set architecture. This means that the commands or functions in the language are structurally similar to the processors instructions. Low-level languages are often described as being "close to the hardware" due to the minimal abstraction between the language and machine language. Generally, low-level languages refer to either machine code or assembly language.
Low-level programming languages are used to write programs that can be executed directly on computer hardware without the need for translation or interpretation. They are known for their ability to run very quickly with a small memory footprint. However, they are also considered difficult to use due to the numerous technical details that the programmer must remember. Examples of low-level programming languages include machine code and assembly language.
In modern times, low-level programming is any language in which the developer handles memory management. Any language where memory management or garbage collection is done for the developer is considered "high level." Assembly language is as close as possible to what the CPU can execute, as it is a text translation of the binary code which the CPU understands. C is considered a low-level or "intermediary" language, and it is often used for tasks that require low-level manipulation of hardware, such as writing device drivers or operating systems.
Its important to note that the definition of low-level has evolved over time. While historically, machine code and assembly language were considered the only true low-level programming languages, in modern times, the term has expanded to include languages like C, which are considered "intermediary" languages due to their level of abstraction from the hardware.
In summary, low-level programming languages are characterized by their minimal abstraction from a computers instruction set architecture, their ability to run directly on computer hardware, and their requirement for the programmer to have a deep understanding of machine language and hardware details.
