Low-level languages are used to write programs that relate to the specific architecture and hardware of a particular type of computer.

They are closer to a computer's native language (binary), making them harder for programmers to understand.

High-level languages are written in a form that is close to our human language, enabling programmers to focus on the problem being solved.

No particular knowledge of the hardware is needed, as high-level languages create programs that are portable and not tied to a particular computer or microchip.

These programmer-friendly languages are called ‘high level’ as they are far removed from the machine code instructions understood by the computer.

Closer to the natural language of a computer (binary)

Often relates to the specific architecture and hardware of a particular type of computer

One line of low-level code usually becomes one line of machine code

Close to human language

Statements are easier to understand for humans than a low-level language 

No knowledge of a computer hardware is needed

Portable (can be used on different types of computers)

One line of high-level code usually becomes many lines of machine code

Examples: Machine Code, Assembly Language

Advantages

Can make use of special hardware or special machine-dependent instructions (e.g., on the specific chip)

Translated program requires less memory

Write code that can be executed faster

Total control over the code

Can work directly on memory locations

Easier to modify as it uses English-like statements

Easier/faster to write code as it uses

English-like statements

Easier to debug during development due to English-like statements

Portable code – not designed to run on just one type of machine

Disadvantages

Programs developed using low-level languages are machine dependent and are not portable.

Error detection and maintenance are complex and time-consuming processes.

Programs are more error-prone.

Programming usually results in poor programming productivity.

Programmers must have additional knowledge of the computer architecture of a particular machine for programming in low-level language.

It takes additional translation time to translate the source to machine code.

High-level programs are comparatively slower than low-level programs.

Compared to low-level programs, they are generally less memory efficient.

Cannot communicate directly with the hardware.