1. Evolution of Programming
a. First Generation
In the first generation, the language that is used by the computer is the machine language. This language only understoods the binary symbols such as 0s and 1s. As a result, almost all the computer system platform understood this language.
b. Second Generation
Because of some difficulties in the machine language, the developers in the second generation replaced these binary symbols with other symbols that's easily to be understood by programmers. Examples of these codes are A for add, MCV for move and many others. This language is called assembly language which traces back its root from the programs known as assemblers that translates them into machine codes. Systems software programs such as OSs and utility programs are often written in an assembly languages.
c. Third Generation
During the third generation, the computer language uses more of the symbolic codes rather than the machine code. As a result, it slowly resembles the human communication and understanding. Examples of the language that is used by the computer in the second generation are BASIC, COBOL, C and FORTAN.
It is also in this generation that a compiler and/or an interpreter was introduced. These two both converts the symbolic code into machine language.
d. Fourth Generation
In the fourth generation, the programming language focuses more on the output rather than the process of making the statements. Due to this, many people who are not really well trained
use this fourth-generation languages(4GLs).
Prime examples include PowerBuilder, Delphi, Essbase, Forte, Focus, Powerhouse, SAS, and many other. Natural is a 4GL that can be used with Windows, UNIX, or Linux. Another popular fourth-generation languages is called Structured Query Language(SQL), which is often used to perform database queries and manipulations.
e. Fifth Generation
The fifth generation was by the Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1982. This programming language was supposed to perform much calculation utilizing massive parallelism. It aimed to create an "epoch-making computer" with supercomputer-like performance and usable artificial intelligence capabilities.
Even though they spent over 50 billion yen, the project did not succeed.
2. Overview of Programming Paradigms
a. Imperative Programming
This programming paradigm describes comoputation as statements that change in a program state. This also serves a service command which gives the computer the tasks to perform. Examples of this programming paradigm are Fortan and Algol.
b. Functional Programming
Functional programming treats computations as an evaluation of mathematical functions. This focuses on the application of functions rather than the changes in state. This programming paradigm emphasizes its use in academia rather than in commercial software development. This language includes APL, Erlang, Haskell, Lisp, ML, Oz, and scheme.
c. Logic Programming
This also uses the mathematical logic for computer programming. It is also the use of logic as both a procedural representation and declarative language. Logic programming is like conventional imperative programming, using programs to control the behaviour of a program executor.
d. Object Oriented Programming
This programming paradigm allows object-oriented techniques. Simula in 1967 is generally accepted as the first language that acquires the features of object-oriented language. Object-oriented programming can be grouped into several classes. This is determined by the extent to which they support all the features and functionality of object-orientation.
e. Concurrent and Distributed Programming
There is an simultaneous execution of multiple interacting computational tasks. This is also related to parallel computing. The difference between them is the focus in the interaction between tasks. The concurrent programming focuses more on the interaction between tasks.
