CS 102 - Evolution of Programming Languages

Which generation of programming languages is written in binary code and directly executed by the computer's hardware?

• First Generation

• Second Generation

• Third Generation

• Fourth Generation

Answer explanation

• First Generation languages are machine languages written in binary code (1s and 0s), directly executed by the computer's hardware.

What is the main characteristic of a Second Generation programming language (2GL)?

• Uses English-like syntax

• Written in machine code

• Uses mnemonics or symbolic names

• Designed for problem-solving

Answer explanation

• Second Generation languages, or Assembly languages, use mnemonics or symbolic names to represent machine code instructions.

Which of the following programming languages belong to the Third Generation of Programming Languages (3GL)? (Select all that apply.)

• FORTRAN

• Assembly

• C++

• Java

Answer explanation

• FORTRAN, C++, and Java are high-level languages that belong to the Third Generation (3GL). Assembly is a Second Generation language (2GL).

The primary goal of Fourth Generation Languages (4GL) is to

provide hardware-specific programming instructions.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

• Fourth Generation languages are more abstract and focus on solving problems with less emphasis on the underlying hardware.

Which of the following are examples of Fourth Generation Languages (4GL)?

• MATLAB

• Prolog

• SQL

• COBOL

Answer explanation

• MATLAB and SQL are Fourth Generation Languages (4GL), used for numerical computing and database management, respectively.

Who is considered the first computer programmer?

• Alan Turing

• Grace Hopper

• Ada Lovelace

• Dennis Ricthie

Answer explanation

• Ada Lovelace is widely recognized as the first computer programmer. In the 19th century, she worked on Charles Babbage's early mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine. She wrote what is considered the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine, making her the first person to conceptualize the idea of programming a computer long before modern computers were developed.

Which of the following is a primary application area for Fifth Generation Languages (5GL)?

• Database management

• Numerical computing

• Artificial Intelligence

• Operating systems

Answer explanation

• Fifth Generation Languages are primarily used in AI and advanced computing systems.

The programming language written in binary code and executed directly by the computer is known as __________ language.

Answer explanation

• Machine Language, or First Generation language, consists of binary code (1s and 0s) executed directly by the computer's CPU.

The inventor of the C programming language was __________, developed at Bell Labs in the 1970s.

Answer explanation

• Dennis Ritchie developed the C programming language, which became popular for its speed and modularity.

__________ is considered a Fourth Generation Language (4GL) used for querying and managing databases.

Answer explanation

• SQL (Structured Query Language) is a Fourth Generation Language (4GL) used for managing and querying relational databases.