<P> In computer science, a high - level programming language is a programming language with strong abstraction from the details of the computer . In comparison to low - level programming languages, it may use natural language elements, be easier to use, or may automate (or even hide entirely) significant areas of computing systems (e.g. memory management), making the process of developing a program simpler and more understandable relative to a lower - level language . The amount of abstraction provided defines how "high - level" a programming language is . </P> <P> In the 1960s, low - level programming languages using a compiler were commonly called autocodes . Examples of autocodes are COBOL and Fortran . </P>

What are the characteristics of high level programming language