third generation 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}.

(1996-05-30)