| programming language (prō'grām'ĭng) An artificial language used to write instructions that can be translated into machine language and then executed by a computer. English and other natural languages are not used as programming languages because they cannot be easily translated into machine language. ◇ A compiled language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compilerprior to being executed. C++ and SmallTalk are examples of compiled languages. ◇ An interpreted language is a language in which the set of instructions (or code) written by the programmer is converted into machine language by special software called a compilerprior to being executed. Most scripting and macro languages are interpreted languages. See also program. |
In computer technology, a set of conventions in which instructions for the machine are written. There are many languages that allow humans to communicate with computers; C++, BASIC, and Java are some common ones.