---
title: "High level languages and natural language"
subject: "Computer Programming"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_1/computer_programming:hll-similar-natural-language"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/hll-similar-natural-language
site: BCT Engineering
---

# High level languages and natural language

Computer Programming · Chapter 1: Overview of computer software & programming languages

- Asked in: 2068 Chaitra, 3 marks
- Video: [C_02 Low level vs High level Languages | Machine and Assembly Language | Programming in C](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6jtj-7xJoA) — Jenny's Lectures CS IT
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_1/computer_programming/hll-similar-natural-language
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_1/computer_programming/chapter-1

## Question

How high level programming languages are similar to natural language? Describe.

## Short answer

High-level languages resemble natural language through English keywords like 'if', grammar with structured statements and semicolons, and mathematical expressions like 'area = 3.14 * r * r'. Variables can be named meaningfully. Unlike natural language, they are exact and unambiguous.

## Answer

High-level languages are designed so that programmers can write instructions in a form close to human language. The similarities are:

- **Vocabulary:** they use English words as keywords, such as `if`, `else`, `while`, `for`, `return`, `print`.
- **Grammar (syntax):** like a sentence structure, statements must follow fixed rules, for example `if (a > b) ... else ...` reads like "if a is greater than b, then ... otherwise ...".
- **Punctuation:** statements end with a symbol (`;`) like a full stop, and blocks use `{ }` or brackets like paragraphs.
- **Meaning (semantics):** every valid statement has a definite meaning, just as a sentence does.
- **Mathematical notation:** expressions like `area = 3.14 * r * r` are close to normal mathematics.
- **Names:** variables can be given meaningful words (`total_marks`, `salary`).

Unlike a natural language, however, a high-level language is exact: it has no ambiguity, and a small syntax mistake gives an error.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. The natural-language similarity of keywords like if, else, while is in
   A. punctuation
   B. semantics
   C. ambiguity
   D. vocabulary: English words used as keywords
   Answer: D. Keywords are English words. (Key point: Vocabulary)

2. The semicolon ending a C statement is like
   A. a full stop in a sentence
   B. a noun
   C. a paragraph
   D. a verb
   Answer: A. It marks the end of a statement. (Key point: Punctuation)

3. How does a high-level language differ from natural language?
   A. It allows ambiguous sentences
   B. It is exact with no ambiguity, and small syntax mistakes give errors
   C. It ignores grammar
   D. It tolerates spelling mistakes
   Answer: B. Programming languages are strict. (Key point: Key difference)

## Related in Computer Programming

- [High level languages; C versus FORTRAN](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Ahll-types-c-vs-fortran) — Computer Programming, chapter 1
- [High level vs low level languages](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Ahigh-low-level-languages) — Computer Programming, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Categories of programming languages](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Acategorise-languages) — Computer Programming, chapter 1
- [Generations of programming languages](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Agenerations-programming-languages) — Computer Programming, chapter 1, asked 4×
- [Define programming language](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fcomputer_programming%3Adefine-programming-language) — Computer Programming, chapter 1, asked 3×

## Related in other subjects

- [Higher-level language versus OO approach](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fmultimedia_system%3Ahll-vs-oo-approach) — Multimedia System, chapter 7
- [Rate analysis: WC commode, high level cistern](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Arate-wc-high-level-cistern) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 4
- [Recursive and recursively enumerable languages](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Ftheory_of_computation%3Arecursive-vs-re-examples) — Theory of Computation, chapter 4
- [Libraries, system software, languages, OO](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fmultimedia_system%3Alibraries-system-software-languages-oo) — Multimedia System, chapter 7