CISSP Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

The primary purpose of a fourth-generation programming language (4GL) is to enhance programmer efficiency by automating code creation. 4GLs are designed to be closer to human language and more abstract than their predecessors, making it easier for programmers to develop applications without needing to write extensive lines of code. The goal of 4GLs is to simplify the programming process, allowing developers to focus on logic and problem-solving rather than the intricacies of syntax and code structure typical in lower-level languages.

By automating many routine coding tasks, 4GLs reduce the time and effort required to build software applications, enabling developers to be more productive and deliver solutions faster. This efficiency is particularly beneficial in environments where rapid application development is essential.

While other answers reference concepts important in programming, they do not align with the core purpose of 4GLs. For instance, increasing programming complexity goes against the objective of 4GLs, which aim to simplify programming tasks. Similarly, while some programming languages do contribute to machine learning, that is not the primary focus of 4GLs. Finally, providing low-level machine language instructions is characteristic of lower-generation languages rather than 4GLs, which abstract that complexity away from the programmer.