What type of computer language is executed within a computer's central processing unit?

Disable ads (and more) with a premium pass for a one time $4.99 payment

Learn the essentials for your FE Mechanical exam. Study with our questions and explanations, designed to prepare you thoroughly for exam day.

The type of computer language executed directly within a computer's central processing unit (CPU) is machine language. This is the most fundamental level of programming language, consisting of binary code that the CPU can read and execute natively. Machine language comprises instructions that are specific to the architecture of the CPU, allowing it to perform operations such as arithmetic calculations, data movement, and control functions.

Machine language instructions are represented in zeros and ones, which makes them the only type of language that can be processed directly by the CPU without any translation or interpretation. This is essential because when a computer is running a program, it ultimately relies on machine language to execute the specified tasks at the hardware level.

Other types of languages, such as high-level languages and assembly languages, require a translation step before they can be executed by the CPU. High-level languages are designed for ease of use and are abstracted from the hardware specifics, while assembly language provides a more human-readable representation of machine language but still needs to be translated before execution. MS-DOS, on the other hand, is an operating system that manages hardware resources and provides services to programs, rather than being a language executed by the CPU itself.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy