third generation language (language) (3GL, "high level language") A language designed to be easier for a human to understand, including things like named variables. A fragment might be
let c = c + 2 * d
Fortran, ALGOL and COBOL are early examples of this sort of language. Most "modern" languages (BASIC, C, C++) are third generation. Most 3GLs support structured programming. See also second generation language, fourth generation language. Last updated: 1996-05-30
