# 4th-generation programming language

> more user friendly and non-procedural in nature i.e., users need to think "what" instead of "how"

**Wikidata**: [Q238137](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238137)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth-generation_programming_language)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/4th-generation-programming-language

## Summary
A 4th-generation programming language (4GL) is a high-level programming language designed to be more user-friendly and non-procedural, allowing users to focus on "what" needs to be accomplished rather than "how" to accomplish it. It represents a significant evolution from earlier programming languages by emphasizing ease of use and productivity. 4GLs are commonly used for database applications, report generation, and business applications.

## Key Facts
- 4GLs are classified as a subclass of programming languages and are preceded by 3rd-generation programming languages and followed by 5th-generation programming languages
- The concept emerged as part of the evolution of programming languages, with notable examples including IBM Informix-4GL (1986), MAPPER (1968), and MARK IV (1964)
- 4GLs are characterized by their non-procedural nature, allowing users to specify what they want to achieve rather than how to achieve it
- Common aliases include 4GL, 4th generation language, fourth-generation programming language, and L4G
- Notable 4GL implementations include NOMAD, OpenROAD, Uniface, CA-Telon, and SystemBuilder/SB+
- The technology is documented in multiple languages including English, French, German, Japanese, and Arabic
- 4GLs are particularly well-suited for database applications and business application development

### Q: What makes 4th-generation programming languages different from earlier languages?
A: 4GLs are more user-friendly and non-procedural, allowing users to focus on what needs to be accomplished rather than how to accomplish it. They emphasize productivity and ease of use compared to 3rd-generation languages.

### Q: What are some common applications of 4GLs?
A: 4GLs are commonly used for database applications, report generation, business applications, and data analysis. They excel in environments where rapid development and ease of use are priorities.

### Q: What are some examples of 4th-generation programming languages?
A: Examples include IBM Informix-4GL, NOMAD, OpenROAD, Uniface, CA-Telon, MAPPER, MARK IV, and SystemBuilder/SB+. These languages are used in various business and database applications.

## Why It Matters
4th-generation programming languages represent a crucial step in the evolution of software development, bridging the gap between complex programming requirements and business user needs. By allowing developers to focus on what needs to be accomplished rather than the technical details of how to accomplish it, 4GLs significantly increased productivity and made software development more accessible to non-specialist users. This paradigm shift enabled faster application development, particularly for database-driven business applications, and helped democratize software development by reducing the technical expertise required to create functional programs. The impact of 4GLs continues to influence modern development tools and low-code platforms, making them a foundational concept in the history of programming languages.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the non-procedural programming paradigm that influenced later development tools
- Enabling rapid application development for database and business applications
- Introducing higher levels of abstraction in programming, making development more accessible
- Serving as a precursor to modern low-code and no-code development platforms
- Establishing the concept of focusing on "what" rather than "how" in programming

## Body
### Evolution and Classification
4GLs emerged as part of the natural progression in programming language development, following 3rd-generation languages and preceding 5th-generation languages. This classification reflects their position in the programming language hierarchy, where each generation represents a significant advancement in abstraction and ease of use.

### Technical Characteristics
The defining characteristic of 4GLs is their non-procedural nature, which allows developers to specify the desired outcome without detailing the exact steps to achieve it. This approach contrasts sharply with procedural languages where developers must explicitly define each step of the process. This characteristic makes 4GLs particularly well-suited for database applications and business logic implementation.

### Implementation and Usage
4GLs have been implemented in various forms, from specialized database languages like IBM Informix-4GL to general-purpose business application development platforms like Uniface and OpenROAD. These implementations typically focus on specific domains where their strengths in rapid development and ease of use provide the most benefit.

### Historical Context
The development of 4GLs in the 1960s and 1970s coincided with the growing need for more efficient ways to develop business applications and manage increasing amounts of data. Early examples like MAPPER (1968) and MARK IV (1964) demonstrated the potential of this approach, leading to wider adoption throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

### Modern Influence
The concepts introduced by 4GLs continue to influence modern development tools and platforms. The emphasis on productivity, ease of use, and focusing on business logic rather than technical implementation details can be seen in contemporary low-code and no-code platforms, demonstrating the lasting impact of the 4GL paradigm.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "4th-generation programming language",
  "description": "A high-level programming language designed to be more user-friendly and non-procedural, allowing users to focus on what needs to be accomplished rather than how to accomplish it.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth-generation_programming_language",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1066593",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth-generation_programming_language"
  ],
  "additionalType": "programming language"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)