Low level languages

Low level language, also known as system programming language, is a programming language that provides a direct interface to the hardware of the machine. It is used for creating operating systems, writing firmware, and doing device driver programming. Low level languages are also used to optimize code for faster speeds or more efficient memory usage. C and assembly language are two of the most commonly used low level languages.

Low level languages are very fast and efficient as they are closer to the machine’s native instruction set. They require more memory space for the same task compared to high-level programming languages. The codes written in low level languages are difficult to read and debug, thus, they are rarely used for writing large applications.

For developers, low level languages allow for closer control over the hardware. They provide access to low-level system calls, hardware interrupts, disk operations, and memory management, as well as for accessing certain features of the underlying operating system. Low level languages are also used to gain access to certain library functions, such as multimedia, networking, gaming, and embedded systems.

In security-sensitive areas, such as cryptography and virus detection, low level languages help to form a tighter security environment, due to more stringent coding practices. Low level languages are also used in applications that must run quickly, such as type-ahead and auto-complete, as these are not possible with high-level languages.

Low level language is a necessary element in computing and still continues to maintain its significance in today’s world. It will remain a fundamental component of computer programming for many years to come.