Third Generation Programming Languages (3GLs) are high-level programming languages designed to be more user-friendly and closer to human language compared to their predecessors. They are procedural in nature, meaning they follow a step-by-step approach to solving problems. Examples of 3GLs include C, C++, Java, Python, FORTRAN, and PASCAL.

These languages introduced English-like syntax, making them easier to read, write, and debug. They also abstract away hardware-specific details, allowing developers to focus on problem-solving rather than low-level machine operations.

Key Features

• Human-Readable Syntax: Uses English-like words and logical structures, making it easier for programmers to understand and write code.

• Portability: Programs written in 3GLs can often run on different hardware platforms with minimal modifications.

• Abstraction: Provides built-in data structures and control structures, reducing the need to manage memory or hardware-specific details.

• Compilation/Interpretation: Requires a compiler or interpreter to convert high-level code into machine code for execution.