Selecting a programming language

Task 1. What do you think about the following ideas?

1. Why is it important to balance the functional characteristics of the language?

To maximize their performance.
2. What do machine and assembly languages provide?
Machine and assembly languages provide the most direct control over computer
hardwere.
3. What is one of the most important factors in selecting any programming language?
In selecting any programming language, the amount of direct control that is needed
over the operation of the hardware can be an important factor to consider.
4. Why are recent programming languages simpler than earlier ones?
New languages appear to be simpler because they are more
English-like.
5. How much time is needed to develop computer programs using higher-level languages?
It takes less time to develop computer programs using higher-level languages than
with lower-level languages.

Task 2. Read the text carefully. Say whether the sentences below the text are true or false.

1. C++ and Java have only disadvantages.F(advantages and disadvantages)

2. Java is also more portable – with the ability to run on more Oss and hardware.T
3. C++ will never disappear.F(C++ will not disappear anytime soon)
4. More recent programming languages are typically easier than earlier programming
languages. F(typically more complex)
5. It takes less time to develop computer programs using high-level languages than with
low-level languages. T

Task 3. Choose the words from the box and put each of them in the correct place of the
sentence.

Direct control; debugging; routines; to maximize; programming; higher-level; the cost; up-front
costs; balancing; vendor

1. Programmers who learn C++ must spend a lot of time debugging rather than learning
software engineering techniques.
2. Each command can drive complex routines and functions that operate behind the scene.
3. Using higher-level languages can reduce the total costs to develop computer programs in
the long run.
4. the cost to develop computer programs can be substantially less with this more recent
programming languages.
5. Selecting the best programming language involves balancing the functional
characteristics of the language.
6. Many vendor of popular application software programs take the time and effort to code
portions of their leading programs in assembly language.
 7. Although training programmers to use these higher-level programming languages may
produce high up-front costs
8. Java may be the future of programming
9. Many computer programing companies code portions of their popular programs in
assembly language to maximize their speed.
10. The amount of direct control that is needed over the operation of the hardware can be in
important factor to consider.

Task 4. Find the words according to their definitions in the marked paragraph of the text.

1. of or having a special activity, purpose, or task; relating to the way in which something
works or operates (p. 1); Functional
2. a person or company offering something for sale (p. 2); vendor
3. to identify and remove errors from (computer hardware or software) (p. 4); To debug
4. clearly visible or understood; obvious (p. 4); apparent
5. a way of carrying out a particular task, esp. the execution or performance of an artistic
work or a scientific procedure (p. 4) A technique

Task 5. Discuss the following questions:

1. Characterize low-level and high-level programming languages.

2. What is an object?
3. What is the difference between C & C++?
4. What programming languages will you learn?
5. Why may the training of programmers to use higher-level languages produce high up-
front costs?

Task 6. Read the key terms carefully and find the best explanation.

1. Command a. To make all the things of a particular

type have the same features or level of
quality
2. To code b. Achieving good results
3. Standardization c. To make something as large as
possible
4. Productive d. To convert (the words of a message)
into a particular code in order to convey
a secret meaning
5. To debug e. The way that something such as a
system or service operates
6. To maximize f. To need for a particular purpose;
depend on for success or survival
7. Operation g. To look for and remove mistakes from
a computer program so that it works
correctly
8. To require h. An instruction or signal that causes a
computer to perform one of its basic
functions

1-h
2-d
3-a
4-b
5-g
6-c
7-e
8-f