Computer Awareness Part-2: Imp. Computer Languages for All Bank Exams

Whether you aspire for IBPS, SBI, RBI and or even NABARD Exams, all major Bank Exams check your knowledge of Computer fundamentals. Computer Awareness section has been an important part of all Banking Exams. The Computer Knowledge Section is easy and scoring, provided you prepare all the topics of the syllabus properly and completely.

To aid in accomplishing that aim, we will discuss about the important Computer languages that attract questions in the Exam:

Generations of Programming Languages

Programming languages have been classified into several programming language generations. Historically, this classification was used to indicate increasing power of programming styles. Later writers have somewhat redefined the meanings as distinctions previously seen as important became less significant to current practice.

Here are the 5 generation of languages:

1. First Generation Programming Languages (1GL)

A first generation (programming) language (1GL, machine code) is a grouping of programming languages that are machine level languages used to program first-generation computers. 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. The instructions in 1GL are made of binary numbers, represented by 1s and 0s. The main advantage of programming in 1GL is that the code can run very fast and very efficiently, as the instructions are executed directly by the central processing unit (CPU).

2. Second Generation Programming Languages (2GL)

The label of Second-generation programming language is a generational way to categorize assembly languages. The term was coined to provide a distinction from higher level machine independent third-generation programming languages (3GLs, like COBOL, C, or JavaScript and earlier first-generation programming languages (machine code). Unlike first generation programming languages, the code can be read and written easily by a human, provided it must be converted into a
machine readable form in order to run on a computer.

3. Third Generation Programming Languages (3GL)

A third-generation programming language (3GL) is a high-level computer programming language that tends to be more machine-independent and programmer-friendly than the machine code of the first-generation and assembly languages of the second-generation, while having a less specific focus to the fourth and fifth generations. The early examples of common and historical third-generation programming languages are FORTRAN, ALGOL and COBOL, whereas the ‘modern’ languages (BASIC, C, C++) are third generation languages. Most of the third Generation Programming Languages support structured programming.

4. Fourth Generation Programming Languages (4GL)

A fourth-generation programming language (abbreviated as 4GL) is a programming language designed with a specific purpose in mind, such as the development of commercial business software. Such languages arose after the introduction of modern, block-structured third generation programming languages, which improved the process of software development. Some examples of Fourth Generation Programming Languages are ABAP, Unix Shell, SQL, PL/SQL, Oracle Reports, R.

5. Fifth Generation Programming Languages (5GL)

While fourth-generation programming languages are designed to build specific programs, fifth-generation languages are designed to make the computer solve a given problem without the programmer. So, the user only needs to find problems to be solved and meet the required conditions. He doesn’t have to worry about how to implement a routine or algorithm to solve them. The Fifth-generation languages are used mainly in artificial intelligence research. Another examples of fifth-generation languages are OPS5 and Mercury.

6. Low Level Programming Languages

A low-level programming language is a programming language that provides little or no abstraction from a computer’s microprocessor. Generally, this refers to either machine code or assembly language. Because of the low (not inferior in any sense) abstraction between the language and machine language, low-level languages are sometimes described as being “close to the hardware”. Programs written in these languages tend to be relatively non-portable, due to being optimized for a certain type of system architecture. Low-level languages can be converted to machine code without a compiler or interpreter.

7. High Level Programming Languages

In comparison to low-level programming languages, High Level Programming Languages may use natural language elements. It may be easier to use, or automate, or even hide entirely, significant areas of computing systems like memory management. Therefore, it makes the process of developing a program simpler and more easy-to-understand than when using a lower-level language. In the 1960s, high-level programming languages using a compiler were commonly called auto-codes, like, COBOL and Fortran.

Some Important Programming Languages

1. FORTRAN

FORTRAN or ‘Formula Translation’ system was the first of the major languages appeared in 1957. The language was designed at IBM for scientific computing. The components were very simple and provided the programmer with low level access to the computer’s innards. Today, this language is considered restrictive as it only includes IF, DO and GOTO statements.

2. COBOL

COBOL is an acronym for “common business-oriented language. It is a compiled English-like computer programming language designed for business use. COBOL is primarily used in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. COBOL is still widely used in applications deployed on mainframe computers, such as large-scale batch and transaction processing jobs.

3. LISP

John McCarthy from MIT created the LIST Processing (or LISP) language in 1958. It was designed for a research on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

4. ALGOL

ALGOL was the first language with a formal grammar. It was created by a committee for scientific use in 1958. Its major contribution is being the root of the tree that has led to such languages as Pascal, C, C++ and Java.

5. Pascal

Named after French mathematician, philosopher and physicist Blaise Pascal, Pascal is an imperative and procedural programming language, designed by Niklaus Wirth. It is a small and efficient language intended to encourage good programming practices using structured programming and data structuring.

6. C

C Language was developed by Dennis Ritchie while working at Bell Labs in New Jersey in 1972. The transition in usage from the first major languages to the major languages of today occurred with the transition between Pascal and C.

7. C++

C+ + language was designed to organize the raw power of C using OOP, but maintain the speed of C and be able to run on various different types of computers. C++ is frequently used in simulations, such as games. It is much sought-after language amongst students who go for Computer Science courses.

8. Java

Java is a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language that is designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. It is a general-purpose programming language intended to let application developers write once, run anywhere (WORA). It means that the compiled Java code can run on all platforms that support Java without the need for recompilation.

9. Visual Basic

Visual basic is an easy language having a limited scope. It was designed for non-computer science people. Today, it is often used as the first programming language today as it is based on the BASIC language developed in 1964 by John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz.  

10. Python

Python is an interpreted high-level general-purpose programming language. The philosophy of its design emphasizes code readability with its use of significant indentation. This language has object-oriented approach which aims to help programmers write clear and logical code for small as well as large-scale projects.

Important full form of Languages

ALGOL: Algorithmic Language

COBOL: Code Common Business Oriented Language

HLL: High Level Language

BASIC: Beginner’s All Purpose Symbolic Instruction

LOGO: Logic Oriented Graphics Oriented

LLL: Low Level Language

FORTRAN: Formula Translation

PROLOG: Programming in Logic

SNOBOL: String Oriented Symbolic Language

COMAL: Commons Algorithmic Language

Conclusion

Now that you are well aware of all the important Computer languages you will be able to score maximum marks in questions related to it. But don’t forget to solve previous year questions and check your knowledge base. And the best way to check your present knowledge base of computer Awareness is by giving Mock Tests. Attempt as many Mock Tests as you can and know your strengths and weaknesses before the exam.

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