What are the advantages of high-level language over low level language?

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Advantages of High-Level Languages
High-level vs. low-level languages
Advantages of high level language
1. It is simple to learn and less error-prone
2. High level language is user-friendly
3. It has a higher abstraction level compared to low/middle languages
4. High level language is machine-independent
5. Problem-solving and debugging are easier
6. Increases programming productivity
Disadvantages of high level language
1. High-level language is slower due to translation
2. It is less memory efficient
3. High level language object code is not efficient
4. It doesn’t communicate with hardware directly
5. High level language offers less flexibility

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Both High level language and low level language are the programming languages’s types. The main difference between high level language and low level language is that, Programmers can easily understand or interpret or compile the high level language in comparison of machine. On the other hand, Machine can easily understand the low level language in comparison of human beings. Examples of high level languages are C, C++, Java, Python, etc. Let’s see the difference between high level and low level languages:

1.	It is programmer friendly language.	It is a machine friendly language.
2.	High level language is less memory efficient.	Low level language is high memory efficient.
3.	It is easy to understand.	It is tough to understand.
4.	Debugging is easy.	Debugging is complex comparatively.
5.	It is simple to maintain.	It is complex to maintain comparatively.
6.	It is portable.	It is non-portable.
7.	It can run on any platform.	It is machine-dependent.
8.	It needs compiler or interpreter for translation.	It needs assembler for translation.
9.	It is used widely for programming.	It is not commonly used now-a-days in programming.

A high-level language (HLL) is a programming language such as C, FORTRAN, or Pascal that enables a programmer to write programs that are more or less independent of a particular type of computer. Such languages are considered high-level because they are closer to human languages and further from machine languages.

In contrast, assembly languages are considered low-level because they are very close to machine languages.

Advantages of High-Level Languages

The main advantage of high-level languages over low-level languages is that they are easier to read, write, and maintain. Ultimately, programs written in a high-level language must be translated into machine language by a compiler or interpreter.

The first high-level programming languages were designed in the 1950s. Now there are dozens of different languages, including Ada, Algol, BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, FORTRAN, LISP, Pascal, and Prolog.

To learn more about programming, check out these courses on TechRepublic Academy.

Read also: Java Basics: Variables, Syntax, and Conventions

High-level vs. low-level languages

Low-level languages require little interpretation by the computer. This makes machine code fast compared to other programming languages. Low-level languages gives programmers more control over data storage, memory, and computer hardware. It’s typically used to write kernel or driver software. It wouldn’t be used to write web applications or games.

In contrast, high-level languages are easier to grasp. It allows a programmer to write code more efficiently. High-level languages have more safeguards to keep coders from issues commands that could potentially damage a computer. These languages don’t give programmers as much control as low-level ones do.

High level languages (HLLs) have a lot of pros for today’s programmers and are growing in popularity but come with some cons. Several examples you may recognize are Visual Basic, Ruby, Python, JavaScript, Python, C# (but not C++), and Java. This type of programming language has various upsides compared to low-level and middle-level ones, especially for beginners since they are easier to understand. They are also worth investing time and effort into. After all, the modern world makes them a preferred choice over the assembly and machine language, and you’ll understand why. Let’s analyze the advantages and disadvantages of high level language.

Advantages of high level language

We suppose you don’t need convincing to utilize high-level language because they are overtaking the industry. To explain the reason, we’ll dive into the upsides of a high level language:

1. It is simple to learn and less error-prone

The statements in high-level languages are written in English. That makes it easy for beginners to start programming because it’s similar to a human language. Simultaneously, newbies and expert programmers are less likely to make errors in code because the statements they use are words they say or write daily. Although the difference in familiarity isn’t as noticeable compared to middle-level language, (compare C# and C++, for instance), it is drastic when it comes to machine or assembly languages (low-level) with binary or assembly code. The other two require advanced knowledge and more time to learn, apply, problem solve and debug.

2. High level language is user-friendly

Although users still need to know a lot and study documentation, the fact it resembles the English language makes it much easier. Users find it convenient to specialize in more languages than one at the same time. They also discover that a transition to another or an updated version can be relatively comfortable. Further, because of its machine independence, programmers can work on several drastically different projects without knowing the structure or architecture of a machine or learning new syntax and code. The adjustments they may need to make are far less time-consuming and tedious than learning another programming language.

3. It has a higher abstraction level compared to low/middle languages

Abstraction, inheritance, and encapsulation are three principles of object-oriented programming (OOP). Abstraction refers to the ability of a programmer to pick out the relevant data from a source object and hide all the unwanted parts to boost efficiency and decrease complexity. In other words, programmers can create multiple abstracted objects of a source object, each with only data, behaviors, and attributes relevant to the desired application, independent of the source. That is what makes the next merit of a high level language possible.

4. High level language is machine-independent

This type of programming language uses a human-friendly language, then interpreters or compilers translate it into machine-friendly code. These two execution models are what make it so powerful and versatile. The same source code in a high-level language can be translated into various machine languages with minor or no modifications. It’s easy to understand why this language is used for almost all programs nowadays, including desktop and mobile applications, system software, utility programs, websites, and more.

5. Problem-solving and debugging are easier

As pointed out, programmers are less likely to create errors while coding from the get-go. Familiarity is what makes finding problems uncomplicated, too. Finally, compilers and interpreters built into today’s software are constantly improving in guiding programmers in locating mistakes. Plus, there are websites that analyze code and note issues. Moreover, some websites like stackoverflow.com (one of many) are online forums where programmers converge to share knowledge. Finally, there are myriad courses and guides available. All this makes the code debug process simpler, faster, and more efficient.

6. Increases programming productivity

All advantages we specified so far have led to a large boost in productivity for high-level languages compared to others. Programmers do not need to specialize in an obscure language to find work, and can easily work in unison. The familiarity makes introducing team members into the workflow simpler, and since source code can be compiled or interpreted in a wide array of ways, the invested effort is far better utilized. Plus, due to its nature, programmers spend far less time studying program code, syntax, and architecture and can focus on logic and troubleshooting. Lastly, these languages are easier to maintain.

Disadvantages of high level language

Without hesitation, let’s dig into the downsides of a high level language.

1. High-level language is slower due to translation

By now, users likely understand that the execution time of high-level language increases because source code needs to be translated via an interpreter or compiler to binary or assembly code. Therefore, high level language programs are usually slower than middle or low-level language ones. Thus, if time is of the essence, low or middle-level languages take precedence, as high-level one is time-inefficient.

2. It is less memory efficient

Another clear demerit of this type of programming language is the increased memory needs. High level languages must store users’ instructions before they interpret or compile them into a machine or assembly language. Those instructions occupy more memory, which can increase storage costs.

3. High level language object code is not efficient

As a result of compiling or interpretation, the result, called the object code, is inefficient compared to the code written in assembly or machine language. That is expected, and its multifunctionality makes up for that outside niche uses.

4. It doesn’t communicate with hardware directly

High level language, by nature, whether compiled or interpreted, cannot communicate with machines. That has benefits we went over but is also a limiting factor. In some industries with outdated but expensive equipment or security risks, it’s unfeasible to use anything but assembly or machine language. Also, that reduces control and access levels to that hardware. Thus, programmers unfamiliar with low-level programming languages may lose employment opportunities in niche areas.

5. High level language offers less flexibility

This downside of the language ties in directly with hardware control. Because programmers cannot directly provide instructions to the machine’s CPU, registers, and memory, they can’t or can with great difficulty perform certain actions. This lack of flexibility means some special features are out of reach for high level programmers. Or, at least, they are impractical compared to using assembly or machine language.