third generation language


third generation language

(language)(3GL, "high level language") A language designedto be easier for a human to understand, including things likenamed variables. A fragment might be

let c = c + 2 * d

Fortran, ALGOL and COBOL are early examples of this sort oflanguage. Most "modern" languages (BASIC, C, C++) arethird generation. Most 3GLs support structured programming.

See also second generation language, fourth generation language.