is machine code low level language

What is machine code and is it a low-level language?

If you're new to the world of computer programming, you might have wondered—Is machine code a low-level language? and why is it used? Let's explain it in simple terms.

Machine code is the most basic, low-level language of a computer. It's written in binary, or 0s and 1s, which is difficult for the average person to read or understand. A computer only understands machine code, so the code you write in a high-level language (like Python or Java) must first be translated into machine code.

Machine code is the most basic, low-level language of a computer. It's written in binary, or 0s and 1s, which is difficult for the average person to read or understand. A computer only understands machine code, so the code you write in a high-level language (like Python or Java) must first be translated into machine code.

Advantages of machine code:

• It is the fastest and interacts directly with the hardware.
• Programs written in it are the most efficient.

Some limitations:

• It is difficult for ordinary people to write or understand programs in it.
• Each machine has its own machine code, meaning there is no portability.

The next step after machine code is assembly language, which has a slightly simpler syntax. However, if you need to work at the hardware level or program embedded systems, machine code and assembly language become more important.

To learn more about this, you can visit Wikipedia: Machine Code.

Tip: When is it important to learn machine code?

If you only want to do general software development, a high-level language is sufficient. However, if you want to pursue a career in hardware programming, operating system development, or embedded systems, a basic understanding of machine code is essential.