Computer programming can be categorized in a variety of ways. Programming methods can be procedural, object oriented, or event driven, while languages themselves can be divided into two major categories: low-level and high-level. Assembly language and machine language are low-level languages because they "speak," directly or almost directly, the language the computer understands. On the other hand, languages such as C, C++, Pascal, BASIC, Visual Basic, and COBOL are high-level languages because they require more manipulation by the computer (compiling). Assembly language and machine language are considered the most fundamental of all programming languages because of the close relationship between their statements and actual central processing unit (CPU) operations at the bit and byte level. Either language provides programmers with nearly complete control over microprocessor behavior.

Assembly language programs are smaller and run faster than programs written in high-level languages. However, assembly language does not provide...