third generation language

(language)

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.