Why Programmers Prefer High-Level Languages Over Assembler
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Chapter 1: Understanding Assembly Language in Programming
Despite common beliefs, programmers do engage with assembly language, albeit indirectly. If we were required to program solely in assembly, many developers wouldn't thrive, projects would stretch over longer timelines, and the perception of programming would worsen, becoming even more daunting. Assembly language, while powerful, is often unnecessary for the majority of tasks we encounter today.
Consider this: what happens when we write code in languages like JavaScript, Python, or Java? We craft code that resembles human language rather than machine language. Ultimately, this code is transformed into machine language through various tools during the compilation or interpretation process. Thus, whether we acknowledge it or not, we are programming in assembly language to some extent. For instance, when you implement an "if" statement in your code, it translates to a series of assembly instructions.
Section 1.1: Why Not Use Assembly Language Directly?
You might be asking: why don't we just code in assembly language from the start? The answer lies in several compelling reasons.
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Languages evolve from low-level to high-level for valid reasons. Here are two key points to consider:
- Ease of Use: Programming in assembly is significantly more challenging than utilizing a high-level language. You will be required to manage memory instructions directly, without the convenience of built-in statements like "if" or "for," which you would need to construct on your own. What may take a single line in a high-level language could expand to five lines in assembly.
- Unnecessary Complexity: While assembly programming allows for precise memory control and optimization, this level of detail is often unnecessary. Achieving speed and efficiency through assembly is critical in specialized scenarios, such as embedded systems with limited memory. However, for most modern applications, memory constraints are minimal.
The video "Why should I learn assembly language in 2020? (complete waste of time?)" delves into the relevance of assembly language today, discussing its practical applications and challenges.
Section 1.2: The Relevance of Assembly Language Today
In certain industries and projects, assembly language remains crucial. However, for the vast majority of use cases, the differences in performance—like an operation taking 0.97 seconds instead of 1 second—pale in comparison to the time and effort required to code in assembly versus a high-level language.
Chapter 2: Conclusion
In conclusion, while assembly language has its place, the overwhelming majority of programmers favor high-level languages for their efficiency and ease of use. Thank you for reading! If you found this article informative, please consider leaving a comment; I value your feedback.
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About the Author
Hello! I'm Jesús Lagares, a Backend Software Engineer currently completing my Computer Science degree at the University of Cadiz. My passions lie in technology and communication, and I strive to simplify complex ideas for better understanding.
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The second video, "Should I Learn Assembly Language Programming?" discusses whether learning assembly programming is worthwhile in today's tech landscape.