Sometimes abbreviated as HLL, a high-level language is a computer programming language that isn’t limited by the computer, designed for a specific job, and is easier to understand. It is more like human language and less like machine language. However, for a computer to understand and run a program created with a high-level language, it must be compiled into machine language.

The first high-level languages were introduced in the 1950s. Today, high-level languages are in widespread use. Examples of high-level languages include BASIC, C, C++, COBOL, FORTRAN, Java, Pascal, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, and Visual Basic.

3GL, Compilation, Compile, Computer acronyms, Low-level language, Machine language, Programming terms, Pseudo language, Special purpose language

  • How to create a computer program.