third generation language

<language>

(3GL, "high level language") A language designed to be easier for a human to understand, including things like named variables. A fragment might be 

 let c = c + 2 * d
Fortran, ALGOL and COBOL are early examples of this sort of language. Most "modern" languages (BASIC, C, C++) are third generation. Most 3GLs support structured programming.

See also second generation language, fourth generation language.

Last updated: 1996-05-30

Nearby terms:

third generation computer ♦ third generation language ♦ third normal form

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