IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 Definitions Worksheet: 4.2 Programming Languages, Translators and IDEs (Modules 419–429)
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
source code
2
high-level language
3
low-level language
4
high-level code
5
easier to debug
6
machine independent
7
direct hardware control
8
high-level vs low-level
9
choose language level
10
mnemonic
Answer Key
IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1 · Modules 419–429 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1source code — The instructions a programmer writes in a programming language. The CPU cannot run it until a translator turns it into machine code.
2high-level language — A programming language using English-like words that is easy for people to read and write, such as Python or Java. One statement does many jobs, and it must be translated before the CPU can run it.
3low-level language — A programming language close to the CPU's instructions, such as machine code or assembly language. Each instruction is one simple CPU operation, so it is harder for people to read.
4high-level code — Code that uses familiar words, so it is easier to read and write than low-level code, which needs many detailed instructions to do the same job.
5easier to debug — Debugging is finding and fixing errors. It is easier in short, readable high-level code than in long, hard-to-read low-level code, and translators give clearer error messages for it.
6machine independent — A language whose code can run on different types of computer. High-level languages are machine independent (portable); low-level languages are machine dependent.
7direct hardware control — Low-level code can work directly with hardware, such as registers and memory locations, which high-level languages usually hide from the programmer.
8high-level vs low-level — High-level is easy to read, debug and portable but gives less hardware control; low-level is hard to read and machine dependent but gives direct hardware control.
9choose language level — Pick high-level for portable programs on many machines; pick low-level for direct hardware control, like drivers. Then justify the choice by linking it to the task's needs.
10mnemonic — A short, memorable code in assembly language, such as LDA, ADD or STO, that stands for one machine code instruction and is easier to remember than binary.