(HAL) hardware abstraction layer
There are two basic categories of languages: low-level and high-level. A low-level language interacts with the hardware directly or mostly directly, so an intimate knowledge of the underlying hardware being programmed for must exist. Low-level languages are also relatively difficult to move from one computing platform to another (such as from Windows to a Mac). A high-level language abstracts the hardware, and so programming becomes more solution-oriented and less hardware-oriented. Python does not offer access to the underlying hardware directly, and allows you to perform numerous low-level instructions in just a few lines of code. Thus, since Python substantially removes the programmer from the hardware, it is a high-level language.
| Feature | High-Level Language | Low-Level Language | Machine Language | |------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------| | Abstraction Level | High (closer to human language)| Medium (closer to hardware) | Low (binary code for CPU) | | Readability | Easy to read and write | Less readable, more complex | Not human-readable | | Portability | Highly portable across platforms | Less portable, hardware-specific | Not portable, specific to architecture | | Examples | Python, Java, C++ | Assembly language | Binary code (0s and 1s) |
Low level programming language is a language that is not very abstracted from hardware layer. Programming in low level languages usually requires manual memory management, use of pointers, and in case of assembler - CPU instructions themselves. This makes the programming much more difficult than using a high level language where these issues are taken care of for you. However in general it is possible to write much 'tighter' code in low level languages. Where tighter means:- smaller number of instructions Better use of memory Faster in execution.
It's a "low level" language because it works at the machine level, while higher level languages are built on top of it.
(HAL) hardware abstraction layer
There are two basic categories of languages: low-level and high-level. A low-level language interacts with the hardware directly or mostly directly, so an intimate knowledge of the underlying hardware being programmed for must exist. Low-level languages are also relatively difficult to move from one computing platform to another (such as from Windows to a Mac). A high-level language abstracts the hardware, and so programming becomes more solution-oriented and less hardware-oriented. Python does not offer access to the underlying hardware directly, and allows you to perform numerous low-level instructions in just a few lines of code. Thus, since Python substantially removes the programmer from the hardware, it is a high-level language.
Programming languages can be categorized into low-level and high-level languages. Low-level languages, like machine code and assembly language, are closer to the computer's hardware and are more complex to write but offer more control over the system. High-level languages, like Python and Java, are easier to write and understand, but are further from the hardware and offer less control. The hierarchy of programming languages is based on their level of abstraction and how close they are to the hardware.
The operating system (OS) controls the hardware. A successful computer system will have hardware and an operating system. Application software is not required. All operating systems have a low level, or machine language to run the operation system and control all hardware.
TPM
Switch networking is a term used to describe a small hardware device that joins multiple computers together by using a low level network protocol level.
Basic Input Output System is a low level software that basically tells all the hardware how to communicate. It is independent of the operating system.
Basic Input Output System is a low level software that basically tells all the hardware how to communicate. It is independent of the operating system.
| Feature | High-Level Language | Low-Level Language | Machine Language | |------------------------|------------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------------| | Abstraction Level | High (closer to human language)| Medium (closer to hardware) | Low (binary code for CPU) | | Readability | Easy to read and write | Less readable, more complex | Not human-readable | | Portability | Highly portable across platforms | Less portable, hardware-specific | Not portable, specific to architecture | | Examples | Python, Java, C++ | Assembly language | Binary code (0s and 1s) |
The way a computer communicates with a peripheral device is through a device driver. A device driver is a low level computer program that allows higher level programs to communicate with a hardware device connected to the computer bus. Device drivers are hardware dependent and specific to an operating system.
High level languages allow much more abstraction than low level languages. This allows algorithms and functions to be written without requiring detailed knowledge of the hardware used in the computing platform. Low level languages will require more involvement with the actual register and interrupt interfaces to the hardware. This can provide more control and efficiency for the program and can be good for applications which need high speed execution, but high level compilers are much better at optimizing for speed now.
Any 4 features of C are: - A good stepping-stone to C++ - Very efficient and portable - high level constructs and access to low-level hardware facilities - Very easy to learn