Low-Level vs. High-Level Programming Languages

Low-level programming languages exist to communicate to computers and other machines in commands they can understand. As a result of being written for a computer, low-level programming isn’t intuitive for humans to read or understand. High-level programming, on the other hand, communicates in a way more closely resembling human speech and thought processes. High-level languages are easier for humans to comprehend and learn, but the computer first needs to compile them into a lower-level language to execute the commands. 

Although some programmers use low-level languages, most of the programming languages you’ve likely heard of—such as Java, Python, or C++—are high-level programming languages. 

Read more: Most Popular Programming Languages

What is a low-level programming language?

A low-level programming language directly instructs the computer, usually in binary, decimal, or hexadecimal form. Low-level programming languages, like machine code or assembly language, are difficult for humans to read and comprehend. Every command given to the computer has to be completely written out. 

Low-level language examples include:

• Machine language: Uses 1s and 0s to produce binary code to represent data and program instructions

• Assembly language: Uses mnemonic codes to represent commands and data, such as A for Add, MP for multiply, and IFIRST and ILAST to input first and last name data

Read more: 5 Types of Programming Languages

What is a high-level programming language?

High-level programming languages are easier for humans to learn, read, and comprehend. They are compiled or translated into a low-level language for computers to execute. This action allows programmers to skip many tedious and time-consuming steps within coding to build more complex code. 

High-level programming features abstraction, which is also referred to as information hiding. Abstraction involves eliminating extraneous details. High-level programming languages are designed to be easily understood by humans, allowing developers to write instructions that computers can interpret and execute.

High-level language examples include:

• Python

• JavaScript

• Perl

• PHP

• C++

• FORTRAN

• Ruby

• C#

• R

• SQL

Read more: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary

High-level vs. low-level programming 

High-level programming allows developers to work more intuitively with easier-to-read code and abstraction. If you write a command for a computer to show the word “hello” in binary, your code may look something like this: 01101000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111. It might be difficult to remember what those ones and zeros are doing, let alone what word they are spelling out. 

If you compare that to the same command written in Python, it would look like this: print(“hello”). A high-level language makes it easier to look back and see the purpose of each line of code. When syntax is easier to understand, it’s easier to learn.

It’s important to remember that the computer still needs that command written in low-level code to complete the task of printing “hello.” However, a high-level language—like JavaScript, PHP, Python, or Perl—will compile the code automatically into a version the computer can understand. 

Abstraction in programming languages

Abstraction also makes code more efficient to write. One way to understand abstraction is to imagine you were giving someone instructions on how to make a peanut butter sandwich. You might give an instruction similar to, “Spread peanut butter on the bread using a butter knife.” Most humans would understand how to execute this task. 

However, a computer would get lost right away. A computer requires much more specific instructions, such as: 

• Take the peanut butter out of the cupboard.

• Close the cupboard.

• Open the peanut butter.

• Take a knife out of the silverware drawer.

• Use the utensil end to scoop a small amount of peanut butter out of the jar.

• Spread the peanut butter from the knife to the bread.

Humans use abstraction to communicate more efficiently, and abstraction in code works similarly. In Python, for example, you can use a few lines of text to write a conditional loop, an action the computer would repeatedly take as long as the correct conditions are met. While writing a loop in a low-level language is possible, it requires many more lines of text, and every step of the process needs to be explicitly stated. 

How to learn a high-level programming language

Developers and programmers' job is to know high-level programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, and SQL.

Read more: Programmer vs. Developer: Job Roles, Differences, Salaries

Learning paths

Whether you want to pursue a new career or just brush up on your programming language skills for fun, the popularity of many high-level programming languages means you’ll find various tutorials and information online. Some of the most popular methods to learn high-level programming languages include:

• Boot camps: Coding boot camps are highly focused courses that give you real-world career skills as opposed to the sometimes theoretical nature of a computer science degree. Coding boot camps can be rigorous but can help you gain many skills in a relatively short period. 

• Courses: Online courses allow you to study coding at your own pace without committing to a degree program or specialization. An individual course can introduce you to new subjects or help round out other educational endeavors. You can learn JavaScript, for example, by taking the Javascript for Beginners Specialization from UC Davis on Coursera. 

• Guided Projects: Guided Projects are projects you complete with an instructor or other resources available to assist you if needed. A Guided Project helps you practice your skills in a low-risk environment. These resources take you step-by-step through a programming project, such as Building a Word Guessing Game in C#.

• Certificates: Earning a certificate gives you a credential you can use to show employers your skills and career readiness. For example, you could earn an IBM Back-End Development Professional Certificate to have a credential in server-side Python, backend development, and databases, among other skills. 

• Traditional degrees: In a traditional, four-year bachelor's degree in computer science, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the basics of computer programming, including programming languages. On Coursera, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science offered by the University of London could help you earn your degree at your own pace. 

Which high-level programming languages should I study?

Deciding which high-level programming languages to learn first may depend on what career you’d like to have. For example, if you’re interested in working as a database administrator, you’ll likely need to learn a database language like SQL. If you’d like to become a mobile developer, you’ll typically want to learn Kotlin, Swift, Java, or JavaScript. If you aren’t sure where to start, you might consider one of the five most commonly used programming languages in the world: JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, Python, or TypeScript [1].

Jobs that rely on high-level programming languages

Programming languages are important for many different careers in information services and computer science. Four careers that rely on high-level programming languages include computer and information system manager, software engineer, data scientist, and full stack developer. 

*All annual base salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of October 2024 and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

1. Computer and information systems manager

Median annual US salary (BLS): $169,510 [2]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 15 percent [2]

Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computers, information systems, or related field

A computer and information systems manager plans and manages all company activity related to computer systems, including managing an IT staff, setting budgets, overseeing protocols, and acquiring new equipment. 

Read more: What Are Computer Information Systems? Definition, Degree, and Careers

2. Software engineer

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $132,270 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 25 percent [4]

Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computers, information technology, engineering, math, or related field

Software engineers help design and create software, sometimes working individually and in teams. Software engineers with specific titles, such as quality analyst, may be primarily engaged in one part of the software production cycle, or they may have a more rounded skill requirement. 

Read more: What Does a Software Engineer Do?

3. Data scientist

Median annual US salary (BLS): $108,020 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 35 percent [5]

Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in math, statistics, computer science, or related field

Data scientists determine how to collect, implement data collection systems, and analyze data to help companies and organizations make informed business decisions. In this role, you will also model information and present your interpretation of the data to senior stakeholders. 

Read more: What Is a Data Scientist? Salary, Skills, and How to Become One

4. Web developer

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $92,750 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 16 percent [6]

Education requirements: Varies from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or related field.

Web developers design, create, and maintain websites. They can serve a specific role, such as page designer, or multiple roles, such as full-stack developers who work on both the front and back ends of a website. 

Read more: What Does a Web Developer Do (and How Do I Become One)?

Getting started in programming languages with Coursera 

Understanding the distinction between low-level and high-level programming languages is crucial for aspiring programmers. Whether you aim to build websites, manage databases, or develop software, starting with a high-level language like Python or JavaScript can simplify the learning process. It can open up a range of career opportunities.

If you’re ready to take the next step and learn a high-level programming language, consider the Python for Everybody Specialization, offered by the University of Michigan.

If you want to jump into an entire set of career-ready skills, consider the Meta Front End Developer Professional Certificate. This series of courses takes seven months to complete and will help you prepare for an entry-level front-end developer position.