Compare the characteristics of high and low level programming languages.[6]

High-Level Programming Languages:

1. Abstraction: High-level languages provide a higher level of abstraction from the hardware. They are not directly tied to the specifics of the computer architecture making them more portable.

2. Simplicity: They are simpler to learn and use as they are closer to human languages. They use English-like structures and mathematical notations which are easier to understand.

3. Code Maintenance: Programs written in high-level languages are easier to maintain and debug. They also allow for more robust error checking.

4. Memory Management: High-level languages often include features for managing memory automatically, such as garbage collection.

Low-Level Programming Languages:

1. Machine-Friendly: Low-level languages are closer to the hardware and thus, more machine-friendly. They provide a more direct control of the hardware components.

2. Efficiency: Programs written in low-level languages tend to be more efficient and faster in execution as they are directly compiled into machine code.

3. Memory Management: In low-level programming, developers have direct control over memory management. This can lead to more efficient use of memory, but it also means that developers need to manage memory manually.

4. Complexity: Low-level languages are more complex and harder to learn. They require a deep understanding of the computer architecture and memory structure.