Computers come in many shapes — from a watch on your wrist to a laptop in your bag. And to give them instructions, we use special computer languages. This chapter covers both.
1Types of computers you use
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| Desktop | A computer that stays on a desk (separate monitor, keyboard, CPU box) |
| Laptop | A portable, all-in-one computer with a battery |
| Tablet | A flat touchscreen device, no keyboard needed |
| Smartphone | A pocket computer that is also a phone |
| Wearable | Worn on the body — a smartwatch or fitness band |
As you go down the list, the devices get smaller and more portable — but a desktop is usually the most powerful for its price.
Key points
- Everyday computers: desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone and wearables (smartwatch).
- They get smaller and more portable from desktop to wearable.
- All of them are computers — they input, process, store and output data.
2Low-level vs high-level languages
A computer language is how we write instructions for a computer. There are two families:
| Low-level languages | High-level languages | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Machine language (0s & 1s), Assembly language | Python, Java, Scratch |
| Closer to | The machine/hardware | Human language (English-like) |
| Easy for humans? | Very hard | Much easier |
Machine language is the only language a computer truly understands — just 0s and 1s (binary). Assembly uses short codes instead. High-level languages are written like English, so they must be translated for the computer.
Key points
- Low-level languages (machine, assembly) are close to the hardware and hard for humans.
- High-level languages (Python, Java, Scratch) are English-like and easy to read.
- Machine language is the only one the computer directly understands — just 0s and 1s.
3Language translators
Because computers only understand machine language, a translator converts our code into 0s and 1s. Three kinds:
| Translator | Converts |
|---|---|
| Assembler | Assembly language → machine language |
| Compiler | A whole high-level program → machine language, all at once |
| Interpreter | A high-level program → machine language, one line at a time |
Compiler vs Interpreter: a compiler translates the whole program first (like translating a whole book), while an interpreter translates and runs it line by line (like a live translator).
Key points
- A translator converts our code into machine language (0s and 1s).
- Assembler: assembly → machine code.
- Compiler translates the whole program at once; interpreter does it one line at a time.
★ Practical: spot the type
From the devices around you:
- Name one wearable computer and one tablet you've seen.
- Say whether Python is a low-level or high-level language.
- Which language does a computer directly understand?
- State one difference between a compiler and an interpreter.
Ready for the chapter test?
Answer 5 questions. Score 60% or more to mark this chapter complete.
Start the test →💡 Log in to save your progress and earn the certificate.