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Fourth generation language:
This refers to a programming language that can be employed directly by end users or less-skilled
programmers to develop computer applications more rapidly than conventional programming
languages. Some features of 4GLs include:
1.Prototyping - a systems development technique that uses software in a package of
formsand screen painters, to allow the user to quickly produce a simulation of the output
required from the finished system
2.Query languages- 4GL tools which may be used in conjunction with a DBMS to
enter,update and retrieve information without having to use conventional programs
3.Report generators - 4GL tools that augment the features of a query language with
theability to format a management report with headings, sections and totals
4.Application generators - 4GL tools that allow the creation of complete
applicationprograms. The degree of sophistication of these programs may vary from an end
user setting up a program to accept data and produce business graphics, to a more
sophisticated programmer creating software capable of sophisticated file management and
transaction processing.
1
st alternative: Support the
statement. Backing grounds:
1. 4GLs support development by prototyping which results in software being developed in a
short time since user requirements can be quickly clarified with this approach.
2.Query languages enable end users to quickly update and retrieve information without
having to use conventional programs thus reducing the delay in applications development.
3.Report generators such as Oracle report writer enable end users to quickly create and
format management reports with headings, sections and totals thus reducing application
development time.
4.Application generators enable the speedy creation of complete application programs in a
4GL thus reducing application development time.
5. 4GLs enable the creation of management information systems via query languages, report
generators and application generators. Such information systems are capable of producing
periodic, exception and adhoc reports which make information freely and readily available
to managers for the purpose of decision making.
2
nd alternative answer: Disapprove the
statement Backing grounds:
1.End users using a 4GL or 4GL tool still require some training on the various features of
4GLs and hence there is a significant amount of systems development time spent on
training. These delays in applications development may be significant.
2.Prototyping is a feature of 4GLs doesnât necessarily imply short development time since the
process of iteration of changes to the system being developed may be long before an
acceptable system is delivered to the user.
3.In cases whereby the prototype is coded in a high-level language after acceptance by the
end-user, considerable development time is spent coding the prototype.
4.Reports that are produced by 4GL tools are only available to those end users who are
capable of manipulating queries to produce desired reports. Such an end-user needs to be
trained on formation of queries. Thus it can be argued that 4GLs do not make information
freely and readily available to everyone. They only make information freely and readily
available to trained users.
gregorymasila answered the question on November 23, 2017 at 12:25
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