(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 thiSSort of language. MoSt "modern" languageS (BASIC, C, C++) are third generation. MoSt 3GLSSupport Structured programming. See alSo Second generation language, {fourth generation language}. (1996-05-30)