Programming
in and Difficulties with Scratch
Overall, the programming process was not too difficult
after viewing the tutorials. The one main difficulty encountered was figuring
out how to attempt to save the program once completed. After finding a video on
the website, that challenge was overcome. The program was fairly simplistic
regarding the available tools but not as easy as writing actual code in another
language, such as JAVA or PYTHON. The drop and drag features made it somewhat
difficult to use the variable blocks. After attempting to use one to see the
outcome, the action was abandoned as it did not fit with the program that was
being written. Honestly, using an actual coding language seemed to be an easier
task.
My Scratch Project:
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/869214128
Comparing
Scratch, Machine, Assembly and High-Level Languages
Programming with machine languages
has always been a struggle in my experience. Machine language only understands
zeros and ones, and it was very cumbersome to program with; it was also limited
in the functions that could be performed using it. Programming in Scratch,
compared to machine language, was much easier. Assembly language uses
human-understandable text to convert binary language into a readable language
making it easier for programmers to input instructions using an assembler
allowing the CPU to convert the commands to machine language allowing for
easier readability for both input and output. Again, Scratch was easier than
assembly language as it is simply a drag-and-drop program that uses the basis
of assembly language as the commands are in the understandable text.
To date, multiple high-level languages have been created,
and the ease with which these use assembly language to convert to machine
language. High-level languages store more complex instructions in memory using
variables, allowing the CPU to convert more complex commands into assembly and
machine language. Scratch could be compared to high-level languages since Scratch
allows the use of variables during programming, allowing it to perform more
complex instructions.
Describe
the Differences Between Programming Languages
Machine languages are the most
simplistic of computer languages. They are based primarily on binary and hexadecimal
numbers, which carry out the program instructions based on the sequencing of
these numbers and how the CPU processes them. Machine language would primarily
be used to develop software for operating systems. Assembly languages add the element
of text into their instructions so the human user easily understands them; they
are then converted to machine language by the assembler to carry out the input
instructions. Assembly languages have been used to develop programs such as
Lotus 1-2-3 and the IBM-DOS PC operating systems. High-level machine languages
are the most complex and are used for running and developing more complex
programs. High-level computer languages are used for web development, data
analytics, application development for both desktop and mobile applications,
and even artificial intelligence (AI).
Explain
Which Programming Language is the Most Popular and Why
In contrast to the programming
languages reviewed thus far, high-level languages are the most popular. The
reasoning behind this opinion is that the ease of use of these languages and
the number of applications they can be applied to is far superior to the older
forms of programming languages. A prime example of such a language is Python;
having used this language, the fact that it is extremely easy to use is highly
adaptable, and it can execute very complex instructions with little to no
effort on the programmer's part.