Understanding Semantics and Characteristics of Programming Languages

Semantics in Programming

Semantics indicate the meaning of the code, specifically:

• What the code will actually do
• Can we effectively define this in a formal way?

In essence, semantics refers to the meaning of a statement.

Characteristics of Effective Programming Languages

1. Clarity, Simplicity, and Unity

   A programming language should be clear and simple, enabling users to understand it easily. Unity contributes to understandability.

2. Orthogonality

   This term refers to the ability to combine various features of a language in all possible combinations, with each combination being meaningful. For example, if a language provides an expression that can produce a value and a conditional statement that evaluates an expression to yield a true or false result, these features should work together seamlessly.

3. Naturalness

   A language needs syntax that allows the program structure to reflect the underlying logical structure of the program.

4. Support for Abstraction

   Abstraction involves hiding the complexity of a program, revealing only essential information.

5. Program Verification

   The reliability of a program written in a particular language is always a central concern.

6. Programming Environment

   The technical structure of a programming language is just one aspect affecting its utility. The availability of reliable, efficient, and well-documented implementations of the language can create a good development environment.

7. Portability of Programs

   The language should be portable.

8. Cost of Use

   Cost is a major consideration, encompassing various factors:

   • Cost of program translation
   • Cost of program execution
   • Cost of program creation, testing, and use
   • Cost of program maintenance

9. Robustness

   A programming language should have robust exception-handling techniques.

10. Reliability

    A program should consistently produce the same result for the same input under different circumstances.

Programming Language Translators

Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text into an equivalent target-language text. A translator is used for this process. The main types of translators are:

• Compiler
• Interpreter
• Assembler