PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

The Role of System Programming Language

The Role of System Programming Language

Introduction

The programming language is the most important aspect of designing an application. The selection of programming language significantly affects the way in which an application will be executed. Many different programming languages have been introduced since the initiation of the computer and IT era. From complex binary coded instructions, the art of programming has been transformed to very advance flexible, sophisticated high level languages such as C language. It contains simple English language instructions such as GOTO, MOV, and PRINT etc. The role of C programming language will be high lightened in this document in regards of system programming application.

There are various outstanding features of C Language which keep in the limelight in front of the programmers till today. The dynamic nature of C language along with its wide range of instructions makes it the most popular high level language.

Discussion

As it has already been mentioned in the introduction that why C language is still considered as the most popular for programming. Besides its ability of making programming simple it has some other key advantages as well that makes the language ideal for system programming applications. A quick review on the main characteristics of C language is as follows.

System Programming

It refers to the type of programming that is associated with the system itself. It can be defined as the programming that makes the computer hardware to work and processes different applications. System programming is much different to that of application programming which is mainly concerned with the user end applications. It is the very basic type of programming that is necessary for a computer system to work without which the hardware will not be able to execute anything at all. C language is the preferred one for the system programming application due to its diversifying features and capabilities some of which have been mentioned below (Dhamdhere D. M.,1999).

Key Features of C Language

Readability

Due to its high level nature it is simple for programmers to read the instruction just like the way they read English language. So it is convenient for programmers to read and modify each instruction with ease without considering the complexities of the programs or instructions.

Machine Independency

Second most important characteristic of C language is that it is machine independent. It can be compared with a global set of instructions that can be used anywhere on any standard computing machine regardless of the manufacturer compatibility as in the case of other low level programming languages such as Assembly language. It is easily portable and programs can be taken anywhere throughout the world without considering the machine compatibility with the instructions and language.

Access to Program Libraries

There is some predefined set of instructions that are available for programmers to use in their programs. All need to do is user just have to give the reference of the library that he wants to use without writing the background instruction and the task will be done accordingly. This provides more flexibility in the programs and ...