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There is no standard which defines what 4GL (fourth generation language) actually means. The terms 1GL, 2GL and 3GL were introduced retrospectively but they have no actual meaning because we never classify a programming language by generation. If we did, C++ would be a 10th generation language!

The term 4GL was formally introduced in 1981 to refer to high-level, non-procedural languages but marketing types were quick to describe their client's procedural languages as being 4GL -- because 4GL is "better" than 3GL -- without having to actually explain what 3GL meant. It was nothing more than meaningless jargon.

There have been many unsuccessful attempts to standardise the meaning of 4GL, but none have succeeded. Part of the problem is that 1GL is usually used to classify machine code (as used on first-generation computers) while 2GL is used to classify assembly languages 9despite assembly language being used on first-generation hardware), leaving 3GL for all the high-level languages (portable languages). Attempting to distinguish one portable language from another by calling it 4GL is somewhat pointless given there are already far better ways to classify languages.

High-level languages are best classified by the paradigms they support: declarative; imperative; structured; procedural; object-oriented; functional; logical; and so on. We can also classify by the domains they were primarily intended for: general-purpose; database management; applications software; Artificial Intelligence; and so on. Dividing high-level languages into two distinct groups (3GL and 4GL) tells us next to nothing about a language's capabilities, particularly when no-one can agree on what 3GL or 4GL actually means -- despite Wikipedia's repeatedly unsuccessful attempts to the contrary.

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Is natural language a fifth generation programming language?

Yes, natural language is a fifth generation programming language.


What are the five high level programming language?

1.First Generation Programming LanguageFirst generation of programming language refers to machine language. Machine language is lower level language which uses object code (some times also known as machine code). Object code is the combination of binary digits. These languages directly talk to hardware.2.Second Generation Programming LanguageSecond generation of languages is also low level language which is known as assembly language. Assembly languages are the interface between Machine level languages and High level languages.3.Third Generation Programming LanguageThird Generation programming languages are High level Programming languages like JAVA & C.4.Fourth Generation Programming LanguageThis is the set of current generation programming languages. These languages are similar or closer to human languages.General characteristics of 4GL are:i.Closer to human languagesii.Portableiii.Database supportiveiv.simple and requires less effort than 3GLv.Non proceduralDifferent types of 4 GL are:a. Query Generatorb. Report generatorc. Form Generatord. Application Generatore. GUI Generatorf. Relational Database Manager5.Fifth Generation Programming LanguageLanguages used for writing programs for Artificial Intelligence, Neural Network, Plasma Computing etc. come under 5GL. This is the future of programming language.


Why abap4 is fourth generation language?

Abap4 is 4th generation language, though people may think it as version 4. 4th generation language makes the developer life easy as it has already huge lines of code embedded for different purposes. A fourth-generation programming language (1970s-1990) (abbreviated 4GL) is a prg language or programming environment designed with a specific purpose in mind, such as the development of commercial business software.


Examples of second-generation programming language or 2GL assembly language?

colbol and foran


What does the abbreviation '3GL' stand for in terms of computer programming?

3rd Generation Language

Related Questions

Is natural language a fifth generation programming language?

Yes, natural language is a fifth generation programming language.


Is BASIC a 1st generation programming language?

No. It would be a third generation programming language.


What are the advantages of second generation programming language?

Easier to learn: Second-generation programming languages are easier to learn than first-generation languages. They are closer to human language and are more intuitive


What are the five high level programming language?

1.First Generation Programming LanguageFirst generation of programming language refers to machine language. Machine language is lower level language which uses object code (some times also known as machine code). Object code is the combination of binary digits. These languages directly talk to hardware.2.Second Generation Programming LanguageSecond generation of languages is also low level language which is known as assembly language. Assembly languages are the interface between Machine level languages and High level languages.3.Third Generation Programming LanguageThird Generation programming languages are High level Programming languages like JAVA & C.4.Fourth Generation Programming LanguageThis is the set of current generation programming languages. These languages are similar or closer to human languages.General characteristics of 4GL are:i.Closer to human languagesii.Portableiii.Database supportiveiv.simple and requires less effort than 3GLv.Non proceduralDifferent types of 4 GL are:a. Query Generatorb. Report generatorc. Form Generatord. Application Generatore. GUI Generatorf. Relational Database Manager5.Fifth Generation Programming LanguageLanguages used for writing programs for Artificial Intelligence, Neural Network, Plasma Computing etc. come under 5GL. This is the future of programming language.


Why abap4 is fourth generation language?

Abap4 is 4th generation language, though people may think it as version 4. 4th generation language makes the developer life easy as it has already huge lines of code embedded for different purposes. A fourth-generation programming language (1970s-1990) (abbreviated 4GL) is a prg language or programming environment designed with a specific purpose in mind, such as the development of commercial business software.


Examples of second-generation programming language or 2GL assembly language?

colbol and foran


What is the generation of language?

Programming languages are divided into five different generations. A programming language consists of the symbols, letters and numbers used to communicate with computers.


Is procedural language a sixth generation language?

4 th generation language


What does the abbreviation '3GL' stand for in terms of computer programming?

3rd Generation Language


When was the fifth generation programming language developed?

The only decent attempt at a 5th generation programming language was done by japan in the 90's and it was based on prolog. It was deemed too slow and inefficient to be of viable use, and as such there has been no marketable 5gl to date, so the question would have been better posed as 'Is there a fifth generation programming language?' - also note that the idea of 5gl is just that, an idea. Even if we succeed in creating a 5gl, it will be 'A' 5gl language, not 'THE' 5gl language


What are the advantages of fifth generation of language?

The major advantages of fifth generation programming languages are that these languages are improved from fourth generation languages. It is also important to note that classification of programming languages in generations beyond the second generation is complete nonsense and nothing but a marketing hype; programming languages don't evolve in a linear succession, or one in the shape of a balanced tree, where each generation has common attributes and improvements over the previous generation.


What generation language called natural language?

4 th generation computers